CFOs feel the strain of travel disruption and fuel prices

Warnings that high jet fuel costs are here to stay amid ongoing geopolitical tensions are yet another signal that business travel is entering a more volatile phase.

 

While much of the focus remains on airlines, the impact extends beyond just ticket prices.

 

Rising fuel costs are filtering into every aspect of business travel, from mileage claims and taxis to overall travel logistics, with accommodation and hospitality prices up too.

 

As global business travel costs continue to climb, expense policies, even those set at the start of 2026, no longer reflect the reality of today’s prices.

 

As the disconnect between real-world prices and company expense allowances grows, CFOs need greater visibility of short-term spending in order to adapt to today’s rapidly changing environment.

 

When travel disruption hits, employees feel it first

 

Ongoing geopolitical tensions and operational challenges mean disruption is becoming a regular occurrence rather than a rare exception.

 

When flights are cancelled or delayed, employees are often left navigating last-minute changes themselves: rebooking flights, extending hotel stays and racking up unforeseen expenses.

 

In these moments, costs can escalate quickly, and finance teams need strong processes in place to retain financial control.

 

Without clear, real-time guidance, employees may not know what they are able to spend or claim back. Many are forced to cover costs themselves in the moment, adding financial stress on top of already challenging travel situations.

 

Research suggests that a significant proportion of business travellers experience stress related to expense management during disrupted trips, revealing the human impact of travel disruption that companies must take into account.

 

Outdated expense processes need to be left in the past

 

Despite this shift, many organisations continue to rely on manual or delayed expense processes that simply weren’t designed for this level of disruption.

 

Rigid reimbursement policies can quickly become outdated as fuel and travel costs fluctuate. Similarly, a lack of real-time visibility means finance teams are often reacting after the fact, rather than being able to step in and support employees as the situation unfolds.

 

This not only makes it harder to control costs but also risks leaving employees out of pocket, particularly in high-pressure scenarios where quick decisions can positively impact employee wellbeing.

 

It’s situations like this where real-time expense management becomes essential.

 

Giving finance teams immediate visibility into spend allows them to identify where disruption is happening, understand which employees are affected, and respond quickly with the right level of support.

 

For employees, this translates into faster approvals, clearer guidance, and the relief of knowing they won’t need to shoulder unexpected costs themselves.

 

For companies, this enables CFOs to adapt policies dynamically, ensuring they remain aligned with current conditions rather than lagging behind them. This is crucial for both short- and long-term forecasting, ensuring that changes in spend or policy are factored in.

 

Supporting people while maintaining control

 

Ultimately, travel disruption isn’t just a logistical challenge but a people one too.

 

Businesses that fail to adapt risk not only losing control over their budgets but also placing unnecessary strain on their employees.

 

Conversely, those adopting flexible, real-time approaches to expense management are better positioned to navigate uncertainty while maintaining both cost control and employee trust.