Regional travelers want to use mobile phones on flights

3844 people, from across the region, who are regular flyers responded to the survey during November 2007.

One part of the research asked business and leisure travelers their opinion on the use of mobile phones in-flight, a topical issue which many airlines are considering including as part of their service.

Of the regional business travelers questioned, 47 percent want complete freedom to use mobiles phones on board. 43 per cent of leisure travelers want the same.

These results are in direct conflict with the views of regular business travelers in the United Kingdom who are opposed to the introduction of in-flight mobile phones in-flight. Of the 380 travelers questioned in the UK poll, conducted by YouGov Plc, only 16 per cent said they were in favour of in-flight mobiles, compared with 56 per cent against it.

"It is very important airlines and companies in the travel and tourism sector are made aware of these kinds of trends. This issue of is just one of many which the research has uncovered. Research-led information, such as this, can help companies better tailor their offering and stay ahead of competition", says Jane Wilson, Director, Travel and Tourism Research at YouGovSiraj.

"The research has uncovered an interesting trend in this region, which contrasts with other more mature markets. This may be because travelers in this region do not use trains as they do in markets such as the UK where on-board mobile etiquette has become an issue and special quiet zones have been created. Some airlines are considering mobile phone use and it looks like that is what business and leisure travelers alike want", she continued.

Around a quarter (24 percent of business and 26 percent of leisure travelers) would like to see the introduction of special designated areas where phones can be used on flights. Only 15 percent and 16 percent respectively would like a restriction on when a mobile can be used on a flight.

When it comes to texting there is some interest. Amongst business travelers this breaks down to 14 percent who want normal text messaging and 19 percent who want to have text messaging in silent mode. These figures are slightly higher amongst leisure travelers, 15 percent would like normal use of text messaging available and 20 percent would like texting in silent mode only.