Guest Post: Canadian Business Travel Bookings Increased 4% for Domestic Flights, 8% for International Flights in 2024
Global travel has shown a significant rebound, with volume nearing pre-pandemic levels. A development, that at SAP Concur, we’ve seen in a rebound in business travel bookings. “Overall, Canadian domestic air travel volume for business trips is up 4 per cent, year over year,” said Brian Veloso, Managing Director at SAP Concur Canada. “The return to business travel is driven by business travelers’ enthusiasm. The most recent SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey revealed that 76 per cent of global business travelers enjoy business travel and 67 per cent feel it’s critical for career advancement.”
To get a sense of the state of business travel, SAP Concur analyzed domestic and international air travel bookings in Concur Travel between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and compared airfare and overall travel volume to the same timeframe in 2023.
It found:
Year-Over-Year Travel Volume
Month
Domestic
International
January
+9%
+15%
February
+8%
+15%
March
-7%
-3%
April
+11%
+14%
May
-1%
+5%
June
-5%
-2%
July
+14%
+14%
August
+5%
+3%
September
+8%
+8%
October
+5%
+10%
November
-2%
+2%
December
+12%
+14%
The above chart reflects the percent difference in total bookings year over year (comparing 2023 and 2024)
Overall Canadian domestic travel volume is up nearly 4% year over year. January, February, April, and July were popular months for business travel.
International travel saw a 7.83% increase year-over-year, with significant growth in January, February, April, and December.
Overall Canadian travel volume increased nearly 8% year over year. International travel volume increased most months in 2024. Like with domestic travel, January (15%), February (15%), April (14%), July (14%), and December (14%)
2024 Travel Volume
January marked the busiest month for domestic business travel in Canada, as travelers resumed business activities after the holiday season.
December had the largest year-over-year increase for both domestic and international travel, reflecting renewed confidence in business travel.
Summer months (June and July) saw contrasting trends, with a drop in domestic airfare demand in June, but a strong rebound in July.
Domestic Airfare
Month
Average Fare (CAD)
YoY Difference
January
$574
+1%
February
$654
+6%
March
$667
+10%
April
$630
+6%
May
$620
+4%
June
$619
-3%
July
$589
-8%
August
$579
-3%
September
$605
-1%
October
$598
-1%
November
$619
+1%
December
$579
-4%
The above chart reflects the percent difference in airfare year over year (comparing 2023 and 2024)
Canadian domestic airfare fluctuated throughout the year, with the highest increase in March and the lowest in July and December.
The cost of Canadian domestic flights decreased in mid-year months (June to August), making summer a more affordable time for business travel.
International Airfare Trends
Month
Average Fare (CAD)
YoY Difference
January
$998
-3%
February
$1,131
+1%
March
$1,109
+1%
April
$1,088
+1%
May
$1,078
-4%
June
$1,102
-6%
July
$1,059
-6%
August
$1,015
-9%
September
$1,061
-5%
October
$1,048
-2%
November
$1,056
+8%
December
$996
-2%
The above chart reflects the percent difference in airfare year over year (comparing 2023 and 2024)
Canadian International airfare decreased in the first half of 2024, particularly in the summer months (June to August), making it a more affordable time for global business travel.
Fares remained relatively stable in the second half of the year, with a notable increase in November, aligning with peak business travel periods.
The Future of Business Travel in Canada
Business travel volumes in Canada are approaching pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the resilience of corporate travel. Domestic travel remains strong, and international travel has stabilized with increasing demand. As inflation pressures ease, we anticipate further normalization of travel costs. At SAP Concur, we are excited about the continued evolution of business travel and remain committed to supporting Canadian business travelers on their journeys.
Methodology: SAP Concur analyzed travel booking data from Canada-based travelers in Concur Travel between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024.
This entry was posted on March 12, 2025 at 12:37 pm and is filed under Commentary with tags SAP. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Guest Post: Canadian Business Travel Bookings Increased 4% for Domestic Flights, 8% for International Flights in 2024
Global travel has shown a significant rebound, with volume nearing pre-pandemic levels. A development, that at SAP Concur, we’ve seen in a rebound in business travel bookings. “Overall, Canadian domestic air travel volume for business trips is up 4 per cent, year over year,” said Brian Veloso, Managing Director at SAP Concur Canada. “The return to business travel is driven by business travelers’ enthusiasm. The most recent SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey revealed that 76 per cent of global business travelers enjoy business travel and 67 per cent feel it’s critical for career advancement.”
To get a sense of the state of business travel, SAP Concur analyzed domestic and international air travel bookings in Concur Travel between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and compared airfare and overall travel volume to the same timeframe in 2023.
It found:
Year-Over-Year Travel Volume
The above chart reflects the percent difference in total bookings year over year (comparing 2023 and 2024)
2024 Travel Volume
Domestic Airfare
The above chart reflects the percent difference in airfare year over year (comparing 2023 and 2024)
International Airfare Trends
The above chart reflects the percent difference in airfare year over year (comparing 2023 and 2024)
The Future of Business Travel in Canada
Business travel volumes in Canada are approaching pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the resilience of corporate travel. Domestic travel remains strong, and international travel has stabilized with increasing demand. As inflation pressures ease, we anticipate further normalization of travel costs. At SAP Concur, we are excited about the continued evolution of business travel and remain committed to supporting Canadian business travelers on their journeys.
Methodology: SAP Concur analyzed travel booking data from Canada-based travelers in Concur Travel between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024.
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This entry was posted on March 12, 2025 at 12:37 pm and is filed under Commentary with tags SAP. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.