Many Indian airlines spend more on publicity than on passenger safety: Survey

Mumbai: Around 76 per cent of respondents in a pan-India online survey opined that many airlines in India are spending more on publicity than on passenger safety.

The online survey conducted by LocalCircles revealed that as many as 64 per cent of these respondents had experienced at least one rough flight in the last three years, involving a difficult takeoff, landing, or inflight situation.

The survey, which received 44,000 responses from citizens across 322 districts, assumes significance amidst a spate of incidents, both mid-air and on ground, reported recently.

These included Tata Group-run Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft accident that crashed within seconds of taking off for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad last month, killing 241 of the 242 passengers on board and another 19 on the ground.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the crash and has already submitted its preliminary report.

Also, on Monday, passengers on board Air India Kochi-Mumbai flight had a narrow escape after the aircraft veered off the runway during landing, causing extensive damage to the aircraft.

On the same day, another Air India flight aborted takeoff for Kolkata from Delhi at the last minute due to a "technical snag" while IndiGo flight from Goa made an emergency landing due to a "landing gear" issue.

At the same time, the exterior window frame of a SpiceJet flight operating on Goa-Pune came off mid-air, creating panic among the passengers onboard the Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

The survey first asked air travellers, "Do you believe India-based airlines are spending more on publicity than on safety?" "Out of 26,696 who responded to the question 43 per cent stated, "yes, all of them"; 33 per cent of respondents stated "yes, some of them"; 11 per cent of respondents stated "no, none of them" focus more on publicity and less on safety; and 13 per cent of respondents did not give a clear answer, as per the release.

"In summary, 76 per cent Indian airline passengers surveyed believe that many airlines are spending more on publicity than safety, " it said.

Of the total respondents in the survey, 63 per cent were men while 37 per cent were women.

Also, 46 per cent of respondents were from Tier 1, 25 per cent from Tier 2, and the remaining 29 per cent were from Tier 3, 4, 5 and rural districts, it said.

The survey also asked flyers, "In the last three years, what percentage of your flights (takeoff, inflight or landings) on India-based airlines would you classify as rough or traumatic?"

"Out of 17,630 who responded to the question 75 per cent stated over 50 per cent of flights; 6 per cent of respondents stated 40-50 per cent flights, another 6 per cent of respondents stated 30-40 per cent flights while 9 per cent of respondents stated 10-20 per cent flights, and so on" as per LocalCircles.

"To sum up, 64 per cent airline passengers surveyed in India say they have had at least one or more rough flights in the last 3 years with a difficult takeoff, landing or inflight experience," it said.