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UK aviation's consumer watchdog, the Air Transport Users Council, received fewer complaints from air passengers in 2007-08 than in the previous year, it has been announced.

The council handled 11,077 complaints and enquiries in 2007-08, compared to 12,046 the year before.

Tina Tietjen, chairman of the AUC, said the organisation was 'pleasantly surprised' that, for the first time in six years, annual complaints decreased last year.

She added: 'We hope that this means passengers are experiencing a better service from airlines.

'But we think that it might have as much to do with passengers and airlines working better together to being able to resolve complaints without the need for our help.'

James Fremantle, the AUC's industry affairs manager, recently commented on the effect of the credit crunch on holiday demand, claiming that it is prompting consumers to adapt rather than forego their trips.

'Some tour operators are actually reporting pretty good numbers, so it looks as if people are just downgrading their holidays,' he said.

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