Biz solution firms helping stuck fliers access US, UK

Volcanic ash in Iceland may have thrown the world’s airlines out of gear, but it has given some people a big reason to smile.

Small businesses like the Regus Group and Jones Lang Lasalle Meghraj (JLLM) have been doing brisk business in the past few days. These business houses, which provide services like video-conferencing studios, office spaces, meeting rooms, etc, have seen a surge in demand by 20% in the last four days.

Vikram Malik, 45, a CEO of a private firm in Mumbai had to cancel a business meeting in London on April 17 due to the ash. Rather than fret over loss of business, Chitnis booked a video-conferencing (VC) room with Regus at their Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) facility. “I finalised the deal through VC,” Malik said.

However, to sign the contract, Malik will have to visit London after air services resume.

Like Malik, many corporates and passengers who could not make it to London, US or Europe in the last five days are opting for VC. According to Regus, which is into workplace solutions and provides VC studios, meeting rooms and workstations across the globe, there has been an increase in bookings by 20% in India. “Bookings are up by 20% in India, 38% in the UK and 12% across Europe,” said Madhusudan Thakur, the country head, Regus South Asia. 

According to the spokesperson for JLLM, “Many corporates accept VC as a viable alternative. And such global events often trigger the usage of VC which also saves money,” he said.

VC studios, fully-equipped meeting rooms and workstations are available at rates which are less than the airfare. For instance, at Regus, a VC studio is available for Rs5,000 per hour, meeting room for Rs1,200-Rs1,500 per hour, and workstations with internet, phone facility and beverages for Rs2,500 a day.