Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1362682
12 Hartford Business Journal | April 19, 2021 | HartfordBusiness.com Delayed Departure Bradley Airport, Hartford hospitality industry pivot as business travel slowdown likely to persist By Sean Teehan steehan@hartfordbusiness.com B radley International Airport wants to expand its leisure travel offerings as an increasing number of newly COVID-19-vaccinated people itch to take vacations they've postponed for more than a year. That's a shift for the Windsor Locks-based airfield, which has long depended on business travelers for the majority of its business. In fact, about 65% of Bradley's customers have traditionally been business travelers. But that was before the pandemic. As the tourism industry looks to rebound from COVID-19 this spring and summer, business travel, both in Connecticut and around the globe, is expected to make a much slower comeback as companies think twice about hosting large or even small gatherings, or sending their employees to meetings and conventions. That will have significant implications for Greater Hartford, and many businesses — like the airport, convention center, hotels, etc. — that cater to those kinds of travelers. It's also forcing some in the hospitality industry to rethink their mix of services to try to fill in the resulting revenue gaps. "The big question mark for us is how long will it take for business travel to return," said Kevin Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, which oversees Bradley Airport. "We're continuing to press all of the [airline] carriers that operate here that there are other opportunities." Cautious approach Judging by conversations attorney Patrick McHale has had with clients, businesses aren't eager to resume pre-pandemic travel anytime soon. McHale, a partner at Hartford labor and employment law firm Kainen, Escalera & McHale PC, said many of his employer clients say they'll probably keep workers largely grounded for the next six to 12 months. Right now businesses are even being cautious about bringing workers back to the office, McHale said, and clients that had planned to host events as late as Nov. 2021, are canceling them. "Until we get everybody back to work, businesses are not going to be mandating employees get on a jet and fly somewhere until they're comfortable," he said. McHale's clients don't appear to be outliers. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) recently reported that business travel in North America was down 79% from April 2020 through the end of last year. The group is forecasting a 21% increase in business travel this year — with most gains coming toward the end of 2021. Even more concerning is that GBTA predicts business travel — which generated $334.2 billion in spending in 2019 — won't return to pre- pandemic levels until 2025, four years from now. A likely slow recovery is why Dillon is currently focused on attracting airline routes desirable for vacationers, who are more likely to get on planes in the coming months. Dillon said the airport is starting to see an uptick in activity — passenger Kevin Dillon is executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, the quasi-public agency that oversees Bradley International Airport. 2020 Passenger count Source: CT Airport Authority Bradley International Airport passenger traffic hits turbulent times amid pandemic 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 Jan. Feb. March April May Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Aug. June July 0 2019 Passenger count 582,256 155,444 HBJ FILE PHOTO