Comment: While flights were grounded, rail bookings soared

Jon Reeve, Evolvi's trade relations director, talks about the effect of the travel chaos, caused by volcanic ash, on rail bookings.

"When the volcano crisis struck, business travellers booked to fly on domestic routes in the UK turned to their travel management companies (TMCs) for solutions... and they in turn looked to rail. For many, the first stop was Evolvi's online rail booking and ticketing fulfilment service.

"What's emerging now is the fantastic job done (and still being done) by TMCs in providing their corporate clients with information and support during a period of considerable uncertainty. That human touch was, I'm sure, invaluable in looking at the best available options for travellers caught up in very difficult circumstances, but what the crisis also proved was the way in which technology has become such an integral part of business travel.

"At Evolvi, we certainly noticed an immediate spike in train booking activity as soon as the airspace restriction was applied, with our TMCs and their online customers accessing Evolvi in growing numbers eager to find space for their clients on a train network that was itself coming under incredible pressure.

"Ticket fulfilment through all channels reflected significant increases, and the impact of many of our TMCs' customers having ticket printing capability on site was particularly significant. TOD functionality also meant fast access to rail ticketing will have helped many thousands of corporate travellers complete essential journeys.

"All this was achievable thanks to online systems available on the desktops of TMCs and/or their corporate clients. The value proposition represented by a TMC to a corporate buyer has been a demonstrably significant outcome of events over the last few days as instantaneous access by TMCs to multi modal travel planning tools has maximised the presentation of travel alternatives to affected travellers.

"Once the dust has settled (literally) on this situation, I'm sure that there will be much discussion over the ‘whys' and ‘wherefores' but what I think will emerge stronger is the appreciation of the vital role that the people working for travel management companies - and the online systems at their disposal - play in supporting corporate travel."