• The number of professionals working from airports and railway stations has surged as white-collar employees capitalise on flexible working to stay productive while travelling
• Visits to flexible workplaces at transport hubs has risen by more than 30%, with Birmingham Airport seeing an increase of two-thirds since the end of Covid-19 restrictions
• Major transport hubs including Southampton Airport, London Liverpool Street, and Paddington Station, also reported significant growth in footfall

The rise of hybrid working has fuelled a sharp increase in professionals working from flexible workspaces at airports and railway stations, reflecting a shift away from traditional working patterns, as they seek to stay productive on the move.

New data from International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest provider of flexible workspaces, reveals a 31% average increase in footfall at transport hub-based workspaces since 2022.

Among the transport hubs evaluated, Birmingham Airport saw the biggest increase in footfall growth, with visits rising by more than two-thirds, according to the data, which is measured through Wi-Fi log-ins.

Southampton Airport, as well as major train stations Liverpool Street and Paddington, saw visits rise by a third, while private aviation hub Farnborough Airport in Hampshire and London’s Blackfriars and King's Cross St. Pancras stations also experienced growth.

Key Growth Statistics

The figures demonstrate the desire from workers to work in the most efficient and productive ways possible. Recent research from IWG reveals that three-quarters (75%) of CEOs have observed improved productivity within their organisations since adopting hybrid working policies,* while a further 74% of workers said they were more productive when working in a hybrid model. Additionally, 76% of employees say they feel more motivated when given the flexibility to work from different locations.**

Beyond productivity, hybrid working also contributes to higher job satisfaction and employee retention, with three-quarters (75%) of hybrid workers stating that the freedom to work from anywhere significantly improves their overall satisfaction.***

By working in locations such as airports or train stations, professionals are able to efficiently travel, reducing long and unproductive commuting time as much as possible.

As demand grows, IWG is meeting this need, providing flexible workplaces at some of the world’s leading travel and business hubs, including Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Tokyo (Haneda), Dubai (DAFZ), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), and Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport).

Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of IWG, stated: "It’s clear that people are looking to seize the opportunity to work in places that are most convenient to them and their lifestyles. In their daily lives, employees are choosing to work from locations that minimise their daily commutes and more and more people are embracing the idea of combining work with travel, whether it’s for a few days tacked on to the end of a holiday or a few months as a digital nomad.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

 *Research among 500 CEO participants in June 2024 by Censuswide. Censuswide is Market Research Society (MRS) accredited and the research adhered to MRS guidelines.

**Research among 1,026 participants in May 2024 by Mortar Research. The survey polled office workers in the UK, who now work in a hybrid style.  The sample was nationally representative of region and gender. Mortar Research is Market Research Society (MRS) accredited and the research adhered to MRS guidelines.

***Research among 1021 hybrid working office workers July 2024 by Mortar Research. Mortar are Market Research Society (MRS) accredited and the research adhered to MRS guidelines.

About International Workplace Group plc

International Workplace Group is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size. From some of the most exciting companies and well-known organisations on the planet, to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of International Workplace Group’s hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.

International Workplace Group’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base. 

Through our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the International Workplace Group’s app.

For more information visit iwgplc.com.