Assessing the impacts of videoconferences on domestic business flights in Brazil’s post-pandemic era

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, society realized that many activities could be conducted remotely, achieving similar or superior results. Several trends were anticipated and consolidated, such as remote work and hybrid activities. In this context, the air transport market was also profoundly affected, and we are still trying to understand the size and depth of the ongoing changes. It has become crucial for airline market strategies to evaluate how the behavior of business passenger demand has changed, considering the new conditions created and the intensified use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools, particularly videoconferencing. The article aims to identify and analyze the factors that have influenced the number of domestic business flights in Braziĺs post-pandemic era, focusing on the increased use of ICT. It applied a logit model to a database collected at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, the second busiest airport in the country and the seventh in Latin America, which operates only domestic flights and is used mainly for business trips. Findings showed that the most significant variables influencing reduced travel for work were the number of trips made, the company’s market segment, and travelers’ perceptions about how the company dealt with topics such as productivity, employee well-being, videoconference use, and airline ticket purchases. With this understanding, airlines can develop more effective advertising strategies, enhance ticket sales, and prospect customers in more promising market niches.