Results for: Post-Pandemic Travel

Europe is witnessing a significant surge in airline fares as the onset of summer travel coincides with an unprecedented demand for international trips. The spike in airfares is attributed to a post-pandemic surge in travel demand, reduced airline capacity, and economic factors such as rising fuel prices. Popular destinations like Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and London have seen airfare increases of over 30%. Despite the higher costs, travelers remain determined to enjoy their long-awaited vacations, leading to a bustling summer for European airlines.

Europeans remain eager to travel this spring and summer, with 75% of those surveyed planning a trip between May and October 2024. Despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties, enthusiasm for travel remains strong across all age groups. Southern European destinations are favored, with Italy and Spain leading the list. Safety is a top priority, with 16% of respondents citing it as the number one criterion when choosing a destination. Leisure travel is on the rise, with 74% planning for a vacation. Scenic beauty and local cuisine are the most popular holiday preferences.

Schengen visa applications witnessed a significant rise in 2023, with India securing the third position in terms of the number of short-stay visa applications. Indian travelers exhibited an increasing enthusiasm for exploring Europe, lodging 966,687 applications, a considerable jump from the previous year. Despite the increase in applications, the number of visas issued remained below pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a cautious approach in visa approvals post-pandemic. The share of multiple-entry visas issued decreased slightly, indicating a gradual recovery in travel norms.

Amidst the post-pandemic recovery, codeshare agreements are gaining popularity as airlines seek to expand their networks without large fleet investments. WestJet recently announced an expanded codeshare partnership with Korean Air, providing more transpacific destinations and seamless connections for passengers. This partnership includes the launch of a new seasonal Calgary-Seoul route, enabling Korean Air passengers to access Canadian destinations via Calgary. WestJet customers can connect to Korean Air flights to various Asian cities from Seoul, while Korean Air passengers gain access to WestJet’s extensive network in Canada from major hubs like Vancouver and Toronto.