ENERGY
which can be a powerful tool, especially when used in conjunction with fare options and a pre-trip approval process. CWT’s programme managers work closely with the client travel team, to provide them with the technology and knowledge to manage traveller behaviour.” Wings Travel Management CEO
OIL PRICE FALL PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON TRAVEL POLICY
PLUNGING OIL PRICES MEAN TRAVEL BUYERS OPERATING in the energy sector “have a big responsibility” to drive changes in their policies as companies search for “across-the-board” savings, say TMCs.
Since last summer, the price of oil has fallen from around US$100 a barrel to a six-year low in January of around US$45 a barrel. This caused share prices at some of the largest energy companies to tumble and resulted in job cuts throughout the oil and gas sector.
APPOINTMENTS INDUSTRY
VETERAN JOINS DATA FIRM PI
DATA ANALYTICS SPECIALIST PI has appointed Tony Pilcher as associate director. Pilcher headed up global business travel and expense management at HSBC for more than 14 years before setting up consultancy Pilcher Associates in 2007. More appointments, p120
14 BBT MARCH/APRIL 2015 Tony Berry is senior director of
energy, resources and marine for the EMEA region at Carlson Wagonlit Travel. He told BBT there has been a stronger focus on travel costs due to the drop in oil prices, although he believes travel bans are unlikely. “We are seeing increased scrutiny of air fares on high-frequency routes and business class travel in particular,” said Berry. “It is essential that travel buyers manage any change in traveller behaviour through their travel policy,
AIRPORTS
London City gets capacity boost as £200m investment plan approved Under the latest
LONDON CITY AIRPORT HAS BEEN GRANTED PLANNING approval for a £200 million investment that will significantly boost capacity. Newham Council has been given the go-ahead to an extended terminal, a new taxi-way and additional parking stands
for larger aircraft at the airport in east London. The plans will mean the airport will operate up to 111,000 annual flights, from the 70,000 currently. London City said the new capacity will help “ease the pressure” on existing airport infrastructure.
expansion plan the airport said that by 2023 it will generate additional short- haul capacity, create 1,500 jobs, double economic impact to £1.5 billion a year, and add “greater levels” of investment in east London.
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
Paul East said despite clients asking them to reduce costs by 20 per cent, the value of the TMC has never been more important. “Our account management team is revisiting all current negotiations in place, identifying alternative suppliers, or fare types – do we continue to use oil and gas fares, for example? Or should we get clients to accept restrictive tickets, or look at an alternative client supplier agreement? Just as important is making further recommendations on how a client’s travel policy can be adapted – either in terms of process or products and services purchased.” East said Wings is working closely with buyers to help change traveller behaviour and find cost savings. “Buyers have a big responsibility to communicate and drive the changes in behaviour among their country managers and project owners.” Some airlines have responded to the fall in oil prices by cutting fares, although there have been calls for more savings to be passed on to customers. Australian carrier Qantas has said it is to scrap fuel surcharges on international flights. Operations director at FCM Travel Solutions Aberdeen, Mairead Hayden, talks about the impact of falling oil prices in this issue’s Guest Column, p119
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