DfT announces: 62% of people don't fly abroad

Contrary to claims from industry pundits, the majority of people didn't fly abroad last year.

The Department for Transport's National Travel Survey, which usually covers surface travel, included a new question on international flights. 21% of people had taken one (return) flight abroad, and 9% had made three or more flights.

62% of people hadn't taken a flight abroad at all, although this varied dramatically according to income. Unsurprisingly, wealthier people took more flights abroad; 79% of the poorest income bracket didn't fly internationally in 2006, while 61% of the upper bracket took advantage of 'cheap' flights and popped off for a week in the Algarve or Tuscany.

Similarly, although only 4% of people took 4 or more international flights, 14% of top earners jetted off at every opportunity. Good to see that 'cheap' flights don't just help the wealthy fly more often, isn't it...