Low-Cost Carrier Preference Survey: Peach Airline Ranked as Favorite, Japan the Top Travel Destination

▲ Peach Air ranked first in consumer preference. (Photo / taken from Peach Air’s Facebook page)

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong / Taipei

V Air commissioned Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute to conduct a market survey on low-cost carrier experiences and travel habits among 550 people aged 18–45 from April 27 to May 4. The results showed that Japan was chosen by 81.5% of respondents as the country they most want to visit within the next 12 months, followed by South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China, and Thailand.

Among the new generation of consumers embracing the trend of light travel, many prefer destinations with short flight durations and short stays. The report shows that “overseas leisure/business travel” received 100% of the votes in the category of “activities people want to do in the next 12 months,” highlighting the importance Taiwanese place on overseas travel. In terms of travel destinations, the top three were Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong—all well within the reach of Taiwan’s low-cost airline networks.

Activities People Want to Do in the Next 12 Months
1. Overseas leisure travel / business travel: 100%
2. Watching movies: 81.8%
3. Domestic leisure travel / business travel: 80.1%

Countries People Want to Visit in the Next 12 Months
1. Japan: 81.5%
2. South Korea: 28.4%
3. Hong Kong: 27.6%
4. Singapore: 21.1%
5. Mainland China: 18.5%

▲ Japan was voted the top destination Taiwanese travelers want to visit in the next 12 months. (Photo / taken by reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

V Air stated that 96.7% of respondents had heard of low-cost carriers, and 85.2% were willing to fly with them. Among those willing to fly low-cost, the main reasons were affordable ticket prices, the ability to customize services according to personal needs, and the convenience of booking. Among these, women, those aged 36–40, and the budget-conscious demographic (those earning less than NT$40,000 per month and spending under NT$10,000) placed the highest emphasis on price. Based on these results, it is inferred that new-generation consumers value the experience of the travel process more, and those who opt for cheaper flights can allocate their saved airfare budget to other aspects of their trip.

Reasons for Willingness to Fly Low-Cost Carriers
1. Cheap ticket prices: 87.9%
2. Ability to customize services: 35.1%
3. Convenience of booking: 21.2%
4. Brand preference: 20.3%
5. Wide range of flight routes: 14.6%

With the continued development of Taiwan’s low-cost airline industry, healthy market competition has been fostered. Among the many low-cost carriers, Tigerair Taiwan, Scoot, Jetstar, V Air, and Peach Air are the top five most recognized brands. The ranking of airlines consumers are willing to try also places Tigerair Taiwan at the top, followed by Scoot, Peach, Jetstar, and V Air. However, in terms of brand favorability, Peach Air takes the crown, followed by Jetstar, Vanilla Air, V Air, and Scoot.

Top 5 Most Recognized Low-Cost Airlines in Taiwan
1. Tigerair Taiwan
2. Scoot
3. Jetstar Airways
4. V Air
5. Peach Aviation

Top 5 Budget Airlines People Are Willing to Try
1. Tigerair Taiwan
2. Scoot
3. Peach Aviation
4. Jetstar Asia
5. V Air

Top 5 Budget Airline Brands by Favorability
1. Peach Aviation
2. Jetstar Asia
3. Vanilla Air
4. V Air
5. Scoot

▲ In the budget airline rankings, V Air believes it still has significant room for growth. (Photo / Provided by V Air)

In response to the survey results, V Air spokespersonTang Dun-taistated that in the six months since its launch, V Air’s route network and fleet size are not yet large enough, so compared to other low-cost carriers, there is indeed considerable room for growth. However, through market research, it has been understood that consumers are gradually recognizing the concept and characteristics of low-cost airlines, which also shows that the Taiwanese brand has made an impression on consumers. Among the survey results, consumers also gave V Air higher ratings than other low-cost carriers in terms of service, seat space, and in-flight meals, indicating that the brand positioning has gained public recognition.

Facing the demand from Taiwanese travelers for flights to Japan and South Korea, Tang Dun-tai also mentioned that V Air is currently continuing to expand its route network and fleet. Once the MERS situation subsides, it is expected to prioritize launching flights to South Korea. It is estimated that new route announcements will be made by the end of July, with plans to begin flights to Japan by the end of the year.