The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Netherlands government appear to be at loggerheads. The Dutch Government wants to reduce Amsterdam Schiphol airport flight capacity. Their principal reason is noise pollution. IATA and the Airline Industry are preparing to mount a legal challenge to the planned Dutch reduction. IATA represents over 300 Airlines which
Suddenly this summer, when it comes to air travel, everything appears to be almost back to normal even though some reports claim that only 60% is back. However, fewer flights than in a normal pre Covid-19 summer, and fewer staff are creating desperate situations at many passenger touch points. People are jostling for availability of airline seats and holiday opportunities. At airports, It is a busy time once again, and some Travel companies are already proclaiming their best year ever!
Several countries have suspended or removed Covid-19 restrictions which had inhibited travel. Over 55 countries have announced they have no Covid related restrictions. Most of these countries are in Europe. The list is growing. Many countries even state that they have no pre-travel Test requirements. In spite of the relaxation of rules, 31 countries from among the 55 countries, continue to have their borders closed to tourism.
Corporate Travel as we know, is about to be turned on its head. A lot in the commercial side of air travel has probably remained static since the invention of the Global Distribution System (GDS). Now, major changes are in the pipeline. I write as a prophet would. Change is at our doorstep.
Airline seat inventory control is due for a revolutionary change. Airlines are already working on real time data and studying how their inventories are being booked. Airline companies are about to take better control of their inventories. There are several airlines that already have such data that few in the industry think they have. It is just a matter of time before airlines implement new sales processes across the Network. Change is at our doorstep.
Are you planning a holiday in Colombia, in South America? Do you wish to drive in the Country? If I were you, I’d be wary.
Colombianos are normally friendly, happy, and easy-going people. Everything however, changes when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Be it a car, bus, or truck. Even on a motorcycle. When it comes to their driving, many local drivers are aggressive. Their vehicles can become a lethal piece of machinery on the roads. This Jekyll and Hyde syndrome is difficult to understand. Why would a perfectly friendly, understanding person turn into a monster behind a steering wheel?
As we plan for a post Covid-Travel scenario, one document that is very important is the Corporate Travel Policy document. What is the Corporate Travel Policy? It is that document that basically lays out the rules for corporate travel that employees of a company need to follow, to ensure travel for and on behalf of the company is handled in sync with the vision of the company. It will ensure that all business travel effectively delivers to the financial goals of the company.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast for Travel in 2021 is 52% of 2019 levels. The estimate for 2022 is 88% of 2019. Only by the end of 2023 will it be 105% of 2019 levels. The demand for Air Travel in June 2021 was just 60.1% compared to June 2019.
The revised estimate for travel in 2030 is 7% lower than former pre Covid-19 estimates. All of this is of course, Travel in general. We all know that Corporate Travel has been affected more than travel in general.
The prognosis therefore, for back-to-normal when comes to Air Travel, is not very good. When corporate travel eventually comes back, there will be a new normal. There will be no going back to the old normal.
The Dubai Immigration Department used to have a reputation for being fair in every situation. Sadly, in these Covid-19 times, it does not seem to be the case. In this blog, I am going to put before you a case of a young man who went to Dubai with many dreams. Covid-19 destroyed his job and his dreams. This is a true story. To protect his identity, I am going to call him Mr. X.
During the closing days of March 2020, the Coronavirus was ramping up around the world. The numbers were rapidly rising. Mr. X who had taken up a teaching position in Dubai only in August 2019 after giving up a decent job in his own country, was asked to take an immediate salary cut of 50%. He had to continue teaching online (this is perfectly understandable); but in these Covid times, he also had to go to homes of students to teach as well. With the huge cut in salary, he could not afford additional transportation costs in going to the homes of students. The only option he had left, was to resign from his position. It may be noted that the educational institution he was working for, completely closed down after a few weeks. He would have been jobless anyway.
The onslaught of Covid-19 has been relentless. Air Travel has taken its mightiest blow ever in the history of post-war Civil Aviation. It created an almost complete lockdown for the Industry in terms of International Travel. The good news is that all of these effects will peak, and eventually when they find the vaccine, disappear.
The blow the phenomenon has dealt the Industry and many other businesses around the world, has no parallel. It has already changed the Business completely. Even as Airline heads are looking at a revival on their drawing boards, we know that Covid-19 has changed the face of travel forever.
As Airlines, orchestrate the relaunching of services, Travel Management Companies (TMC), are reviewing everything from staffing upwards. They are studying their operating costs. What will resurface from the depths of the disaster will be a different, more efficient, and cohesive Industry.
The Airline industry has been one of the worst hit by the Coronavirus pandemic. It will be several years before airlines around the world recover from the damage. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), estimates lost revenue for 2020 will be 314 Billion US dollars. IATA also estimates that 4.5 Million flights will be cancelled by June 30, 2020. Never before has the Industry been hit so badly by a pandemic virus.
In the recent weeks a lot has been written in the Press, discussed on TV and over the airwaves, about the impact the deadly disease will have on the Airline Industry and its consequences. It may well change the entire face of air travel for ever. Many doomsday specialists tell us air travel will never be the same again.
Everyone needs Technology today. Whether you are a Travel Management Consultant, employed in the Travel Industry or any other business for that matter, you cannot do without Technology. Most often what you choose to work with is a matter of personal preference and budgets. My advice to those looking for new machines would be to
