Frequent flyers are feeling the strain of travelling

Travel remains unpredictable, with frequent flight cancellations and delays adding to the stress of work travel. Frequent flyers are feeling the strain.

According to the on-time performance reports of the Airports Company South Africa, some airlines experienced delays of up to 28% in February.

In March, fuel shortages due to load shedding caused flight cancellations and delays.

Many forward-thinking companies realise that giving their employees more say in their travel plans is smart during these times, says Bonnie Smith, general manager of Corporate Traveller.

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“Business travellers must deal with both locally caused flight delays and those experienced globally due to pilot shortages and airport strikes.

“There’s nothing that seasoned business travellers dislike more than a travel policy that doesn’t give them flexibility and support to minimise the stress that comes with travel disruptions like these,” says Smith.

More organisations and their business travellers are turning to digital corporate travel solutions to ease the issues caused by unexpected travel disruption.

Disruption comes at inconvenient times, so having the ability to view, change and manage travel schedules online or through an app rather than sitting on hold, waiting to speak to a customer services agent is a game-changer.

Self-booking tools

Smith says most South African companies put self-booking tools and apps on ice during the pandemic to increase company control over travel.

Now business travel has resumed, it’s time to put travellers back in the driver’s seat and give them the right tools to deal with unexpected changes.

“Offering your employees self-booking tools and apps provided by your travel management company will enable them to navigate changes within a defined framework while also enjoying the freedom to make arrangements independently,” she says.

Providing technology that aligns with individual preferences enables travellers to exercise control while adhering to the company’s travel policy.

“Now is the time to explore if your TMC has digital tools to customise travellers’ needs,” she said.

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