Around the mid-point of 2019, we first noticed the term "Flight Shaming". Defined by Citi as "the inherent guilt that an individual feels as a result of one’s aviation-related carbon footprint"; the cost of carbon offsetting for leisure travel alone is projected to reach $3.8 billion per year, with the potential for that number to be 10 times higher.
No matter how deep the shame may run, the options for some people to select alternate means of transportation for business are limited. A world that operates on video conferencing is a nice idea, but the effectiveness and impact of meeting people face-to-face means that video conferencing won't be a complete substitute in the near future.
But, that obstacle doesn't negate the need for airlines and the flying public to give more attention to the environmental impact of air travel.
The Wise Marketer is a media partner with Global Flight in its Loyalty & Awards 2020 Conference, scheduled for 24-26 February in Vancouver, BC. We talked with Ravindra Bhagwanani, Managing Director Global Flight, recently and asked him to explain more about Flight Shaming. The topic will be covered in more depth at the Loyalty & Awards Conference, an event you should put on your calendar.
Here are a few call outs from the conversation:
(Bhagwanani, TS 3:18) “The industry is really challenged to find an answer because we cannot just stop traveling for both pleasure and business … it will be a key topic and discussion on Tuesday morning at Loyalty and Awards.”
(Bhagwanani, TS 2:05) “The conversation has already moved past flight shaming to how can they [airlines] turn into more sustainable businesses.”
(Bhagwanani, TS 5:15) “Some airways (easyJet and British Airways) have already committed to being carbon neutral … but the industry acknowledges that technology may take one or two decades before cleaner airplanes are available. In the meantime, it will be up the initiatives of the individual airlines.”
(Bhagwanani, TS 6:30) “It’s important for the different travelers, the casual economy flyer and the business traveler, to keep the conversation on a serious level so that all parties are equally serviced.”
Watch our previous Executive Interview with Ravindra Bhagwanani here.
