‘At the mercy of the airlines’: Strikes and cancelled flights posing challenges to local travel agents

Local travel agents have stated that airport strikes and flight cancellations have served as major disruptors to travel, posing plenty of challenges to their agencies, especially amidst booming demand.

In recent months, the aviation industry has been filled with industrial action from workers at major European airports and airlines, leading to flight diversions, delays, and cancellations.

These include air traffic control (ATC) strikes at some of France’s most popular airports, along with industrial action from ground handling staff in Italy.

Recently, Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair released a statement highlighting the negative impact that underperformance from European ATCs is having on flights, causing disruptions at a time when flight volumes are still lagging behind 2019 levels.

Speaking to MaltaCEOs.mt, local travel agents have affirmed that the uncertainty brought by these sudden disruptions have had a negative impact on their operations.

Yasmin Marie Hamilton, General Manager at Hamilton Travel, remarked that flight cancellations and rescheduling have disrupted travel plans for many of the agency’s clients, and this situation is being closely monitored during the 2024 summer season.

Distant Horizons Ltd Managing Director Louise Bailey stated that airport strikes are “always a worry.”

“Sometimes we get a list from an airline advising flights which are cancelled due to operational reasons. Every time I see one of these strikes cancellations and reschedules, I always hope it’s not one of my client’s flights,” she added.

ROCS Group CEO Colin Aquilina said that while strikes are a disruptor for travel, the workers’ right to strike has to be respected.

“Such situations make our role as a leading travel agent even more crucial, as we are responsible for taking care of our clients when these disruptions occur, especially when clients are stranded outside of Malta,” he stated.

Over the past year, travel agents have not only faced challenges related to strikes, but have also had to deal with a fire at Catania Airport, as well as a snowstorm at Munich Airport, both leading to countless flights being cancelled and thousands of travellers being stranded.

When asked about their outlook for this summer, all three travel agents stated that they are highly optimistic of what lies ahead.

“We are very optimistic about this summer season. Given the easing of travel restrictions and the increasing desire among people to explore new destinations, we expect a significant uptick in bookings,” Dr Hamilton said.

She added that Hamilton Travel’s specialisation in cruises “has always been a strong selling point,” with the agency identifying a renewed interest in this form of travel.

“Early indicators, such as advance bookings and inquiries, suggest that this will be one of our best summers yet,” she continued.

Mr Aquilina said that ROCS Group’s 2024 initially started on a high note, yet there has been a “slowdown over the past two to three months.”

“Fortunately, we are now experiencing a rapid pickup in activity. While the current pace of this recovery is somewhat slower compared to the remarkable momentum we saw in 2023, it remains robust and encouraging,” he continued.

Ms Bailey, while acknowledging that the outlook for this summer is positive, still expressed concerns about the war in Ukraine, any potential new pandemic, or any other major world disruption.

“Anything can happen at any time, and I occasionally have to deal with situations like earthquakes, tsunamis, and civil unrest, among others, which affect my clients’ travel plans,” she said.

“I deal with them as they come along, but they are always at the back of my mind,” she said.

Mr Aquilina remarked that aside from ongoing conflicts and political scenarios, ROCS Group’s major concerns revolve around the availability of flights across all networks.

“Airlines are facing an exceptionally busy summer, with post-pandemic demand skyrocketing. Unfortunately, the supply has not been able to keep pace with this surge in demand, leading to increased prices and limited flight availability,” he added.

Dr Hamilton said that one of her main concerns is whether inflation and a rising cost-of-living could continue to impact consumer spending.

Despite this, she noted that rather than avoiding it completely, consumers are still finding ways to travel, opting for more cost-effective options.

“Destinations that provide a rich experience without breaking the bank are becoming increasingly popular. For instance, cruises that offer multiple destinations within a single trip are particularly appealing, as they provide a comprehensive travel experience with the convenience of a single booking,” Dr Hamilton affirmed.

These include destinations in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, “offering beautiful scenery and cultural richness at a relatively lower cost.”

Ms Bailey said that there is too much pent-up demand for rising cost-of-living to have a substantial impact on travel.

“People have realised that life can change from one day to the next. I feel that people want to travel and want to have experiences,” she continued.

From her experience at Distant Horizons, which mainly specialises in tailor-made personalised itineraries, she has seen an uptick in demand for Japan, South America, and Africa in general as destinations, “but practically everywhere is popular due to the high travel demand.”

Mr Aquilina was also of the opinion that the demand for travel is very resilient, especially in Malta, where as an island nation, “our love for travel takes precedence over other expenditures, making travel one of the most sought-after services.”

“While the upper bracket of our society will always find means to travel, the middle class in Malta is showing remarkable resilience and determination. They work harder, save diligently, and often prioritise shorter, more frequent holidays to balance their need for relaxation and adventure with their economic constraints. This dedication to travel is deeply ingrained in our culture, reflecting our innate desire to explore and connect with the world,” he commented.

Mr Aquilina also noted that expat community’s impact on travel trends also needs to be acknowledged, as these individuals travel extensively, not just for leisure, but also to maintain ties with their families abroad.

“Their travel needs are diverse and frequent, contributing to the overall demand for quality yet affordable travel options,” he added.