The Effect of COVID-19 Countermeasures on Korean Air Passenger Confidence

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has sharply reduced air travel demand since early 2020. This paper aims to identify factors influencing Korean passengers’ air travel confidence after COVID-19 based on three countermeasure classifications: social distancing, health, and vaccination. Data were collected online from 307 Korean air passengers from December 2021 to January 2022. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine countermeasure influence on air passenger confidence. Health measures (face mask, temperature screening, and hand sanitizing) scored the highest on importance and air travel safety sensitivity. Social distancing measures (physical distancing, contactless boarding process, and sneeze guards) scored the lowest but were still perceived to be important. Only vaccine measures (vaccine pass check-in, vaccination rates, and personal vaccination status) were identified as having a significantly positive influence on Korean air travel confidence. The study’s results do not support past studies showing social distancing and health measures partially or fully influencing air travel confidence. This finding has significant implications for understanding how Korean passengers’ perceptions and perceived sense of safety are different or have changed two years into the crisis, as well as for achieving sustainability of the aviation and travel industries after COVID-19.