Business travellers are avoiding transiting through Heathrow due to heightened security and long queues, according to Andrew Solum, director of Travel Industry Associates.
Part of a panel of industry experts speaking at yesterday’s Travelmole Travel Industry Question Time, Solum estimated that around 15%-20% of corporate travellers coming into Europe were now choosing alternative airports.
“I cannot wait to see figures from the likes of Lufthansa, KLM and Air France,” he said.
“Business travellers are also using smaller airports, chartering more private jets and are holding more meetings away from major city centres,” he added.
He said the baggage restrictions at UK airports were often more cumbersome for travelling executives than for leisure travellers.
“When you’re flying in for one night’s business, you can’t afford to have your checked in luggage go missing and you don’t want to be waiting around for it to come off the belt.” he said.
By Bev Fearis
