FLY JULY ’22 | A MONTHLY CHECK-IN FOR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS
Overall, this month is a positive one for the business travel industry. Newfound technologies and conveniences are changing the way we travel for the better, and we continue to track for a swift return to pre-pandemic travel volumes. Unfortunately, an influx of travel does not mix well with lingering staff shortages, strikes, and flight caps—leaving both business and leisure travellers in a storm of flight cancellations and disruptions. To keep your travel plans running smoothly this summer and beyond, keep me on call to proactively rebook your flights, hotels and transfers with my personal industry relationships and real-time booking technology.
2022: THE BREAKTHROUGH YEAR FOR VIRTUAL CARDS
CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS HELPED VIRTUAL PAYMENTS GAIN TRACTION
The ability to go virtual or contactless has helped many corporates navigate through the pandemic, and it appears that many digital advances are here to stay. Coming to replace the traditional plastic corporate credit card are temporary cards in digital form. The cards can be used to pay for pre-approved suppliers, making paying for business travel faster, easier and more secure.
LONDON HEATHROW TERMINAL CHANGES FOR SUMMER 2022
BRITISH AIRWAYS TERMINAL CHANGES GO INTO EFFECT THIS WEEK
In rare form, a few of the route moves initiated by London Heathrow this past March have been reversed mid-season, possibly due to congestions at Terminal 3 and schedule cuts. Both American Airlines and Iberia will move back to Terminal 3 on 12 July, while British Airways will make a semi-exit from Terminal 3 with many short and long-haul routes moving back to Terminal 5. During the transition, be sure to double-check your terminal.
ACI REPORTS POSITIVE NEWS TOWARD RECOVERY OF AIR TRAVEL
LIFTING OF TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS HAS INCREASED DEMAND
With many European countries and the Americas lifting travel restrictions, the Airports Council International’s latest assessment shows a “positive and immediate impact on global air travel demand.” Mostly driven by domestic passengers, air traffic is set to reach 77% of 2019 levels. As there is still some uneven recovery ongoing restrictions in Asia-Pacific, it’s projected that by 2024, international traffic will reach pre-pandemic levels.
SAF MANDATE PART OF THE UK’S JET ZERO STRATEGY
SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL WILL HELP ACHIEVE NET ZERO
This week, a new mandate is being unveiled as part of the Jet Zero Strategy to achieve “net zero” emissions from flights by 2050. This mandate will require that at least 10% of jet fuel is produced from sustainable sources by 2030. As an interesting side note, the government is also running a challenge to the aviation industry to deliver the first transatlantic flight running entirely on SAF in 2023.