The joint operation conducted by Israel and the United States, launched on Saturday, March 28 against Iran, has led to the closure of the airspaces of Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait, in addition to Iran’s. This development has severely disrupted international air transport and, by extension, the tourism industry, including the business travel segment.
“There were a lot of calls over the weekend. Our 24/7 services were overwhelmed, recalls Valérie Sasset, Chief Executive Officer of BCD Travel France. And it continued on Monday and Tuesday with a huge volume of client calls.”
Some agencies had to handle particularly delicate situations. “We have hundreds of people stuck in Tel Aviv for a week and others in Asia. They cannot return to Marseille. For now, we are waiting”, explains Philippe Korcia, Chief Executive Officer of Voyages Eurafrique.
Because the Gulf air hubs are major crossroads of global air transport, notably for connections to Asia. “Many of our clients departing from Nice and Marseille transit through Dubai”, he adds.
For other industry players, the impact remains more measured. “The start of the week was a bit tricky, but it’s nothing compared with what our leisure-market colleagues are facing”, notes Maxime Pialat, CEO of Supertripper, whose some clients stranded in Doha or Dubai were able to be repatriated.
“There were a lot of calls over the weekend. Our 24/7 services were overwhelmed, recalls Valérie Sasset, Chief Executive Officer of BCD Travel France. And it continued on Monday and Tuesday with a huge volume of client calls.”
Some agencies had to handle particularly delicate situations. “We have hundreds of people stuck in Tel Aviv for a week and others in Asia. They cannot return to Marseille. For now, we are waiting”, explains Philippe Korcia, Chief Executive Officer of Voyages Eurafrique.
Because the Gulf air hubs are major crossroads of global air transport, notably for connections to Asia. “Many of our clients departing from Nice and Marseille transit through Dubai”, he adds.
For other industry players, the impact remains more measured. “The start of the week was a bit tricky, but it’s nothing compared with what our leisure-market colleagues are facing”, notes Maxime Pialat, CEO of Supertripper, whose some clients stranded in Doha or Dubai were able to be repatriated.
Detours, New Tickets, and Improvised Solutions
In response to these disruptions, travel agencies had to act quickly to identify alternative routes and options.
Some organized repatriations via diverted itineraries. “For those stranded near Dubai, we diverted them toward Oman”, explains Philippe Korcia.
Other travelers had to embark on new flights, sometimes at very high prices. “We had to buy back tickets, sometimes one-way at crazy rates. Some returns from Asia cost between 3,000 and 4,000 euros,” he notes.
These unforeseen expenses now raise questions about who bears them. “Will airlines reimburse the full price of unused tickets? And will insurance cover it, or will it be treated as a force majeure case?” ponders the head of Voyages Eurafrique.
At BCD Travel, whose clients are predominantly large accounts, crisis management often channels through other avenues. “Generally, the safety and security partners of major companies take charge of repatriation operations,” explains Valérie Sasset.
Also read: International SOS: no signs of short-term resolution to the conflict
Some agencies managed to limit the damage as well. “As soon as we learned of the conflict, we mobilized immediately,” emphasizes José Martinez, CEO of Amplitudes. “We managed to rehouse almost everyone.”
For Sylvie Perez, owner of Mop Voyages and regional delegate for Selectour Midi-Pyrénées, the corporate side remained relatively under control. “On Qatar-transited flights, we recorded several cancellations. Fortunately, since these were often flexible tickets, refunds were full and straightforward.”
Also read : Sylvie Perez (Mop Voyages): “Despite the uncertainty, our clients value our support”
Some organized repatriations via diverted itineraries. “For those stranded near Dubai, we diverted them toward Oman”, explains Philippe Korcia.
Other travelers had to embark on new flights, sometimes at very high prices. “We had to buy back tickets, sometimes one-way at crazy rates. Some returns from Asia cost between 3,000 and 4,000 euros,” he notes.
These unforeseen expenses now raise questions about who bears them. “Will airlines reimburse the full price of unused tickets? And will insurance cover it, or will it be treated as a force majeure case?” ponders the head of Voyages Eurafrique.
At BCD Travel, whose clients are predominantly large accounts, crisis management often channels through other avenues. “Generally, the safety and security partners of major companies take charge of repatriation operations,” explains Valérie Sasset.
Also read: International SOS: no signs of short-term resolution to the conflict
Some agencies managed to limit the damage as well. “As soon as we learned of the conflict, we mobilized immediately,” emphasizes José Martinez, CEO of Amplitudes. “We managed to rehouse almost everyone.”
For Sylvie Perez, owner of Mop Voyages and regional delegate for Selectour Midi-Pyrénées, the corporate side remained relatively under control. “On Qatar-transited flights, we recorded several cancellations. Fortunately, since these were often flexible tickets, refunds were full and straightforward.”
Also read : Sylvie Perez (Mop Voyages): “Despite the uncertainty, our clients value our support”
Business Travel Already Postponed
Beyond immediate crisis management, professionals are already anticipating the consequences over the coming months.
“The situation is quite anxiety-inducing for people who have to travel, estimates Valérie Sasset. Some trips to Asia are likely to be postponed.”
In the immediate term, many business trips are simply rescheduled. “Unless it is absolutely urgent, business travelers do not want to risk getting stuck on the other side of the world,” explains José Martinez.
Besides logistical constraints, travelers’ mindset is also shifting. “It’s never good for business,” summarizes Maxime Pialat. Beyond travel, this situation worries the global economy.
For the moment, sector players remain cautious about the real extent of the impact. “We’re watching this like milk on the fire,” concludes Valérie Sasset. However, it is still too early to precisely gauge the consequences on activity.
“The situation is quite anxiety-inducing for people who have to travel, estimates Valérie Sasset. Some trips to Asia are likely to be postponed.”
In the immediate term, many business trips are simply rescheduled. “Unless it is absolutely urgent, business travelers do not want to risk getting stuck on the other side of the world,” explains José Martinez.
Besides logistical constraints, travelers’ mindset is also shifting. “It’s never good for business,” summarizes Maxime Pialat. Beyond travel, this situation worries the global economy.
For the moment, sector players remain cautious about the real extent of the impact. “We’re watching this like milk on the fire,” concludes Valérie Sasset. However, it is still too early to precisely gauge the consequences on activity.
Published by Caroline Lelievre Journalist – TourMaG.com See all articles by Caroline Lelievre
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