The structural impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on long-distance mobilities

Dr Frédéric Dobruszkes, Prof Aisling Reynolds-Feighan

Session Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic substantially impacted long-distance mobilities following unprecedented restrictions on domestic mobilities, and even more severe constraints on international movements. The chronicling and analysis of this temporary drop in traffic flows has already generated a wide body of academic publications, especially in (air) transport journals. Most of these studies have investigated conjectural (or short-term) downturns and recovery cycles, often before the crisis was over. However, the pandemic has had structural impacts on long-distance mobilities. For instance on the demand side, much business travel has been replaced with online meetings and this has deprived carriers of some of their lucrative high yield revenue passengers (i.e. business wo/men who purchase flexible tickets close to the date of departure, and often in premium seating categories). By contrast, tele- or remote working (possibly from another country) has been more widely accepted by employers, which has the potential to increase traffic flows. For the transport service industries, there has been a range of experiences and fortunes, with many bankruptcies, reorganisations and restructuring resulting in altered route networks and industry distributional shares. This session aims to investigate and explore the long-terms impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on long-distance mobilities. We welcome all spaces, all methods (both quantitative and qualitative) and all transport modes (air, rail, road and sea). Please note this session is sponsored by the IGU Transport & Geography Commission. It will take place in English only (both slides and presentations).

For further information https://igc2024dublin.org/accommodation/