Planes, drones, helicopters, and even prototypes of electric planes: the Paris Air Show opens on June 19, with around a hundred machines on display. This is the 54th edition of this biannual event, the most important in the world in terms of aeronautics and space. Inaugurated by Emmanuel Macron, it is presented as the “recovery fair”, after the 2021 edition was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2,500 exhibitors from all over the world will be present. As for visitors, around 320,000 people are expected from June 19 to 25 at Le Bourget airport, located northeast of Paris. Proof that aviation remains a French passion despite the environmental crisis. Frequentation, motivations to use this means of transport… L’Express takes stock of the relationship of the French to the plane.
1 in 3 French people take the plane at least once a year
The plane remains one of the favorite means of transport for the French, especially when it comes to going on vacation. 1 in 3 people therefore take the plane at least once a year. In detail: 11% of French people take the plane several times a year, including 2% several times a month, according to a study published in 2022 by Ifop and the Jean Jaures Foundation. Why do the French like the plane so much? 77% of them consider that it contributes to the size and influence of France, that it is quick to reach a destination (for 84%), reliable and secure (47%), and that it provides feeling of freedom (34%).
On the contrary, 33% of French people never fly. This figure is much higher among the inactive (39% never fly) and among white-collar workers (37%) than among executives and higher intellectual professions (14%). Traveling by plane is also correlated with the level of diplomas: only 14% of those who hold a higher diploma never take a plane, compared to 45% of graduates with a CAP or BEP. In terms of age, young people take the plane as much as the others: half of the 18-24 year olds (57%) take the plane occasionally, like the 35-49 year olds (54%) and the older 65 years (56%).
1 out of 2 French people consider the price of tickets as the main reason that prevents them from flying
For the majority of French people, ticket prices remain a major obstacle. 1 in 2 adults (56%) consider this to be the main reason that prevents them from flying. Just behind, we find the distance to travel to reach an airport (14% of French people mention this brake first).
On the other hand, only 12% of French people say they are above all blocked by the ecological impact. This proportion is higher among young people. For 27% of 18-24 year olds, the environment is the number one reason preventing them from flying.
1 in 4 French people try to fly less to preserve the environment
Despite the environmental crisis, few French people say they are ready to make efforts on their use of the plane. Only 12% of them feel ashamed when they use it (9% are rather ashamed, 3% completely ashamed), according to a study published in 2023 by the Pégase Chair, attached to the Montpellier Business School ( MBS). Conversely, 45% totally assume the fact of traveling by plane. Result: less than 1 in 2 French people (41%) try to fly less to preserve the environment.