Business travellers rank flying priorities

Friday 07 May 2021

Reliability, competitive pricing of flights and the ability for day trips are priorities, according to business travellers who responded to an air links survey.

The survey was conducted by the four business groups – the Guernsey branch of the Institute of Directors, Chamber of Commerce, The Confederation of Guernsey Industry and Guernsey International Business Association and attracted 411 responses.

The hierarchy of business needs indicated that early morning and evening services are of high importance, along with reliability and competitive pricing. Daytime flights ranked as a much lower priority. 

The survey also sought to understand expected changes in travel patterns compared to pre-Covid. Whilst the results do not provide a conclusive picture, 25% of respondents indicate that they anticipate less travel in the future.

These include continuing concerns over health risk, increased inconveniences for travellers, and greater use of remote technology as an alternative to business travel, which 6% of respondents cited as a driver leading them to anticipate less frequent travel being required.  

Pictured: Priorities for business travellers. 

79% of respondents indicated that they will continue to use Gatwick for travel to London, whilst the results also indicate an interest for a Heathrow and a London City route for access to/from London. Heathrow features strongly as a preference for international connections, and the value of Southampton for connections elsewhere in the UK is also evident. 

The results support the idea that a coordinated schedule across Gatwick, Heathrow, London City and Southampton might most effectively serve the business community’s varied requirements for air travel. 

Respondents also expressed a need to travel to Manchester, and of destinations not currently served, Dublin was also shown as being of interest.

Guernsey Chamber President Elaine Gray said that the data provided useful insight into mindsets and potential activity during the challenging post-Covid period.

“The data will be added to information already held which underlines the need for stable, regular airlinks with major business and recreational hubs such as London and Manchester. 

Pictured: Airports favoured according to different business travel needs.

She continued: “The Chamber of Commerce will also be reviewing demand for European links when travel restrictions are eased and opportunity for both corporate and visitor use is broadened."

Bob Moore, IoD Committee Lead for Transport, said sustainability and pricing are evidently at the forefront of business travellers' minds. 

“There were a wide range of responses to the questions on future air travel needs, but it was clear that access to sustainable and competitively-priced air connectivity will remain of central importance to the island’s business community," he said.

"Given the importance of air connectivity, we will continue to advocate that air links remain a core part of the government’s policy agenda."