Airline routes are intrinsic to everyday life and holidays, says Barrhead Travel president Jacqueline Dobson
Over the past year, we’ve spoken about many routes to recovery for our industry: a comprehensible travel system, a four-nations approach, affordable testing, transparency with data, to name but a few.
Many of the barriers in our way have now been addressed and we’re at long last starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
But there’s one glaring concern we cannot ignore – the literal routes for travel.
I’m talking about the connectivity that has been lost to the pandemic. And, with the reopening of the US just days away, this topic is only going to become more pressing.
In Scotland, where around half of our stores are based, we have been disconnected from many of our favourite worldwide destinations. In fact, Glasgow’s current Cop26 conference only underlines the need for better connectivity in Scotland, with most global delegates likely to have had to connect through London or other European hubs.
Unfortunately, despite pent-up demand, there will be no direct services to the US to take advantage of until well into 2022, when some routes are due to recommence.
Yes, there are still connecting flights available, but these services have also contracted, meaning significantly less regional connectivity to critical hub airports.
Route cutbacks
For a number of travellers, lengthy and complex connections can be enough to change their choice of destination. A six-hour direct flight to New York could turn into a weary 16-hour commute for some.
So despite the jubilation in the trade about the reopening of the US, it could remain out of reach – or at least very far away – for many.
After a successful decade of working in partnership with airlines and operators, our connectivity was a thing of pride. Scotland was very much open to the world. We boasted direct services to almost every continent. As a result, international travel and inbound tourism reaped the rewards.
Unfortunately, the pandemic has stripped many of the UK’s regional airports of vital services. It is problematic – for everyone – and a problem that must be solved to sustain our recovery.
We know first-hand the pressures our airline partners are under – and the temporary loss of routes was simply unavoidable. But we need a strong, united and resolute voice to reiterate this to the UK government and devolved nations.
I’ve attended more business round-tables than I care to count over this past year, and in almost every single meeting the importance of connectivity is reinforced.
Connectivity benefits
Too often, we can get caught up in sector-specific bubbles, but this year has been a stark reminder of how intrinsic our airline routes are to everyday life and the holiday market.
Our city centres need international tourists. Small and medium-sized businesses rely on affordable airlift capacity. Educational institutes must attract foreign students. Despite our economy’s reliance on our routes, there is not nearly enough financial support in place to stabilise our international connectivity.
Travel is one of the most important stimulators of the economy, and our airlines, airports and general connectivity are its lifeblood.
We cannot lose any more routes, but our connectivity is not yet at a level where we can comfortably begin the recovery process.
This situation is not just one for the airports and carriers to address. Our industry has achieved so much through collaboration and cooperation – and it’s not over yet. We must echo our partners’ calls for support.
Restoring our connectivity to the world is integral to recovery. The reopening of the ‘Land of Opportunity’ creates a topical opportunity for us, the travel industry, to continue these conversations at government level and to demand real action in restoring the UK’s renowned global routes.