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Business Travel Could Drop Further in Wake of Terrorist Attacks

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Many corporations and their corporate travel managers are reassessing their travel plans in the wake of Monday's terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, DC.In a sur...

by Staff
September 12, 2001
2 min to read


ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Many corporations and their corporate travel managers are reassessing their travel plans in the wake of Monday's terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, DC.

In a survey conducted by the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), more than 200 corporate travel managers revealed the actions their corporations will take in reaction to the threat of terrorism and the FAA nationwide airport shutdown.

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Travel managers mentioned rental cars, trains, buses, and taxis as alternatives used during the flight ban.

According to the NBTA survey, 35% of travel managers say they are recommending that travelers limit travel in light of the recent events, while 36% are recommending that travelers evaluate travel on a case-by- case basis that responds to their personal needs. A total of 22% of travel managers say they are making no changes in travel in response to Monday's events.

A total of 44% of corporations indicate that they plan to immediately resume travel upon the FAA’s approval, while 35% will restrict corporate travel for the next few days despite the resumption travel.

“First and foremost, corporations and travel managers are concerned about the safety and security of their travelers,” NBTA Executive Director Marianne McInerney said Wednesday. “In line with current environment, travel managers are moving to educate their travelers about the security requirements that they will find when travel resumes.”

Overwhelmingly, NBTA’s survey also revealed corporate travel managers’ concerns about security protocols that should be developed as a means to immediately enhance safety and security for all air travelers.

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A total of 73% said they would support federalizing or training airport security employees, re-implementing air marshals on flights and eliminating curb-side check-in at airports.

“While we would hope that our great nation will never again experience the magnitude of events that have forever changed our country, there is a resounding call for the development of stronger security measures at our nation’s airports,” continued McInerney. “Because this group is collectively responsible for sending over 40 million travelers through our nation’s aviation system, this survey indicates that travelers are prepared to accept less convenience in exchange for higher levels of security in the air.”

Finally, many corporations are dealing with stranded travelers around the world as a result of the FAA flight ban. A total of 25% of corporate travel managers responded that more than 200 travelers from their companies were left stranded, while 19% had between 50 and 100 travelers and 21% had between 11 and 30 travelers stranded. Travelers were forced to find alternate forms of transportation during the crisis.

The National Business Travel Association, established in 1968, represents over 2,400 corporate travel managers and travel service providers.

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