When Storm Ciaran left 1.2 million homes in France without power, it severely damaged the northwest’s electricity infrastructure.
To restore power as quickly as possible, an energy firm activated its rapid intervention force for electricity, deploying employees and service providers nationwide. But getting technicians on-site required more than just travel arrangements—it demanded a fast, strategic, and highly coordinated crisis response.
CWT activated its crisis unit, 24/7 traveler assistance and real-time booking support. A dedicated team worked closely with the customer’s emergency response unit to handle urgent accommodation requests, receiving up to hundreds of bookings daily totalling 29,000 room nights. Via longstanding supplier partnerships, the team secured accommodation at remote locations— crucial to keeping technicians on-site and operations running smoothly.
Complex travel scenarios like this one are not limited to getting specialist crews to emergencies. Evacuating staff from unsafe environments is an increasingly common occurrence, “We used to deal with one weather crisis a year—now, it’s around five”, says Customer Support Director Stephane Samuel, “This trend forces us to work in a structured way that combines continuous information-sharing, daily reporting and rapid mobilization. No matter how long a crisis lasts, our responsiveness must remain constant. On average, crisis management takes 15 days, but some of the most devastating crises in 2023 and 2024—in French Brittany, Northern France, Guadeloupe, La Réunion, and Mayotte—required more than a month of support.”
Adapting to volatility
"You’ll never get two evacuations that are the same," says Joanne Jackson, Global Operations Director, CWT Energy, Resources and Marine which has successfully managed end-to-end travel missions for companies in the energy, mining, offshore, and maritime sectors for over 40 years. Jackson cites several examples of fraught situations such as the time CWT ERM evacuated a client’s employees from Kazakhstan when the country lost power. Someone managed to get into an office with a backup generator, climb under the desk and message us from there.” Jackson’s team manage evacuations from ocean vessels, during cyclones, and political unrest, "It’s not just about evacuating an employee; sometimes, entire families, including children and pets, need to be moved."
Energy, resources and marine aside, emergency travel will increase for commercial organizations over the next decade and beyond. Geopolitical volatility is rising, according to CWT GBTA report, 2040: Baseline, Boom or Bust which cites a 2024 World Economic Forum survey that reveals 63% of leaders predict a turbulent outlook, with less than 10% expecting calm or stability over a 10-year horizon. Coupled with climate change, duty of care will become ever important. 2024 was confirmed as the first year to breach the 1.5-degree warming limit. New Scientist posits that extreme weather is here to stay.
Why knowing where your people are matters more than ever
Crisis travel management ensures that when geopolitical or climate disaster strikes, companies can act fast, move personnel efficiently, and maintain business continuity by leveraging real-time tracking, risk assessment tools, and strategic partnerships to ensure seamless evacuations and minimize disruption. As global volatility rises, the ability to track employees and act quickly will be critical – that's where having an expertly managed travel program and working with a trusted partner pays.
Contact CWT to ensure your business is prepared for any eventuality.
Discover expert insights on the future of travel and events management, Read 2040: Baseline, Boom or Bust