Corporate travel brand FCM Travel is raising concerns over the potential impact of the passenger cap not being raised at Dublin Airport. FCM warns of potential major disruptions to business travel between Ireland and the UK, especially for SMEs. FCM Travel is highlighting the growing threat to Irish businesses, especially those reliant on frequent and last-minute travel to the UK. The company is calling for the passenger cap to be raised for the benefit of all travellers. "Last month, ticket prices sold by FCM from Dublin to London were, on average, up nearly 24% compared to the same period last year. As capacity continues to shrink, we expect these prices could rise even further," said Andy Hegley, Europe Managing Director, FCM Travel. "Travel is a necessity, not a discretionary spend for corporates. It's a key part of growth strategy for modern businesses looking to find new customers and ideas.” "Passengers, whether they are travelling for business or leisure, are the ultimate losers." The Dublin Airport cap limits the number of passengers who can pass through the airport in a given year. The cap was set at 32 million per year in 2007 and has not changed since. Dublin Airport Authority recently warned that the current passenger cap could cost the Irish economy €500 million. FCM Travel manages travel for both large multinational corporations and SMEs in the Irish market, supporting more than 68 companies. FCM Travel has recently released a new report, Riding the Wave of Innovation: Trends shaping business travel for Irish start-ups and SMEs.  

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Seat capacity has continued its upward trajectory in the third quarter of 2023. Whilst air travel demand was still growing and positive, the increases have moderated for a third quarter, according to FCM Consulting’s latest Global Quarterly Trend Report. It forecasts +71.8 million (+5.3%) more seats globally than 2019. However, the final 2023 seat capacity is forecast to be 2.2% below 2019. The report finds Europe is the only region with overall reduced capacity – down 2%. Elsewhere, Africa leads the way with a predicted increase of 14%, followed by Middle East (up 11%), The Americas (8 and Asia (7%) Australasia will be flat, it says. One of the biggest obstacles faced during the recovery period has been lack of airline capacity and competition but conditions are improving. This is expected to benefit business travellers as the years progress. However, there is still concern remains regarding the lack of available seats on Australia – Europe services via the Middle East. As reported IATA in August 2023, global passenger load factors were at 84.6%. When it comes to accommodation, hotel occupancy levels averaged 68% in 2023. Over the past six months corporate average room rates have plateaued, signalling rate stability. In terms of car hire, the overall global average daily rate (ADR) has increased by 4%. Andy Hegley, MD for FCM UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, said; “This continuous growth throughout the travel industry is encouraging and something we all counted on.”

FCM Meetings & Events, the flagship division of the Flight Centre Travel Group, has announced a global expansion of the business. It sees Simone Seiler taking the role of Global General Manager to oversee the global meetings & events businesses. Seiler is a seasoned travel industry executive with over two decades of experience. "We believe the meetings, events, and event travel markets are ripe for disruption worldwide," Seiler said. "With this investment, we're well-positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for personalised event experiences.” "It's clear the demand for in-person connection continues to increase.” It marks a significant milestone for FCM M&E, a business already with a strong footprint across several countries. "We're experiencing and anticipating a steady annual growth rate of demand a 12%  year on year for in-person meetings.,” Seller added. "We're thrilled to embark on this new chapter for FCM M&E." FCM Meetings & Events priorities going forward include the development of technology solutions and investing in extra talent. It is planning to focus on the three core areas of meetings, event travel and full event management services, including planning, strategies, execution, and delivery.