End of Hurricane Season Underscores Growing Need for Travel Technology to Manage Disruptions
99.5% of KAYAK + Blockskye Travelers Navigated Disruptions Without Agent Assistance
November 20, 2024 – As the North American hurricane season concludes, the travel industry reflects on a year of significant weather-related disruptions. In 2024, 44% of all travel disruptions were caused by weather-related events, a dramatic increase from 28% in 2019*. This stark rise underscores the critical need for advanced travel technology to effectively manage the impact of unpredictable disruptions on travelers and businesses alike.
During the 2024 hurricane season, Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought travel to a standstill in large portions of the southeastern U.S. and Caribbean, affecting thousands of travelers. Thanks to the seamless interoperability of KAYAK for Business and Blockskye's Connected Suppliers** platform, travelers were able to navigate these disruptions with unprecedented ease.
Of the KAYAK for Business travelers on Connected Supplier itineraries impacted by Helene and Milton, an impressive 99.5% were able to cancel or rebook their travel digitally, without requiring assistance from an agent at Kayak BTX, the corporate travel agency support center jointly operated by KAYAK and Blockskye.
Michael Share, CEO of Blockskye, commented:
"The end of this hurricane season highlights the growing challenges faced by the travel industry. At Blockskye, we are committed to creating solutions that empower travelers to adapt quickly and efficiently in times of disruption. Seeing how our travelers resolved their weather-disrupted changes digitally validates the strength of our partnership with KAYAK for Business and the effectiveness of our Connected Suppliers platform."
KAYAK for Business, in collaboration with Blockskye, offers corporate travelers a streamlined, fully digital experience. By integrating with Connected Suppliers, the platform provides real-time access to itinerary updates, enabling travelers to manage changes and cancellations directly from their devices without the delays associated with traditional customer service channels.
As complexity in travel continues to increase, KAYAK for Business and Blockskye remain at the forefront of innovation in travel technology. By empowering travelers with digital tools to manage disruptions, they support businesses and individuals adapting to an increasingly unpredictable world.
* - TravelAge West - Weather Concerns Increasingly Impact U.S. Traveler Decisions, Survey Finds - November 15, 2024
** - As of October 2024, Connected Suppliers includes American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines
