News to Know

Will Business Travel Be Grounded?
SOURCE: HR DIRECTOR MAGAZINE, 4/24

Renewed conflict in the Middle East is causing jet fuel prices to skyrocket and put some key air corridors under pressure. Airlines are responding to the crisis by trimming less profitable routes and adding surcharges.

Last week, Air Canada announced it was suspending services on six domestic and international routes. In the days that followed, Air Transat’s parent company announced it would be reducing the carrier’s capacity by six per cent, Westjet said it was consolidating flights on lower-demand routes and adjusting its summer travel services, and German airline Lufthansa cancelled 20,000 short-haul flights in Europe. The International Energy Agency said that Europe had about six weeks of jet fuel supplies remaining.

Industry Spotlight

GBTA Podcast
GBTA The Business of Travel: Two New Episodes, Now Available

New Episode: Global Business Travel Outlook and the GBTA BTI Forecasts

 What’s really driving business travel spend right now—and where is it headed next? In this episode of GBTA’s The Business of Travel, Chris Ely, Research Director, GBTA, sits down with Edward Galvin, Head of Visa Commercial Solutions, North America, to break down the latest insights from the GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI). 

What you’ll hear 

• The global forces shaping business travel spend today 
• How key regions are performing and what the data reveals 
• The growing impact of technology and AI on travel and payments 
• What the latest forecasts signal for travel programs and suppliers 

New Episode: Jet Fuel Pricing and Supply Risk 

As the situation continues to evolve, what do disruptions in the Middle East mean for global business travel? In this episode of GBTA’s The Business of Travel, regional experts explore how shifting dynamics are impacting aviation, fuel availability, and airline operations—offering clarity and context for travel buyers navigating uncertainty. 

What you’ll hear 

• How geopolitical disruptions are influencing jet fuel pricing and supply 
• The ripple effects on airline operations and global travel programmes 
• Scenario-based insights to support informed decision-making 
• Practical strategies for cost management, supplier strategy, and programme resilience 

Moderator: Calum Hawley, Chair of GBTA Transportation Committee and Managing Director, BTC Global. 

Ben Park – Direct Seat, Regional Europe, GBTA and Executive Director Travel & Sustainability, Parexel 

Peter Harbison, Chairman of Greener Airlines and co-founder of FACTS