Travel Risks in a Polarized World: Navigating Global Uncertainty

In late April, air traffic controllers for Newark Liberty International Airport experienced a potentially catastrophic breakdown. For 30 seconds, radio communication with aircraft went silent. Portions of radar systems failed. Controllers were unable to communicate with pilots or monitor aircraft locations

Though brief, the incident highlighted the fragility of infrastructure and challenges of global mobility. A media report noted that “for 30 harrowing seconds” air traffic controllers had “no means of telling pilots how to avoid crashing their planes into one another.”

The Newark incident, and subsequent reports of gaps in staffing and technology was one example of the evolving international travel risk environment.

Air safety is just one layer of a complex risk matrix that now includes cybersecurity, public health threats, climate disruptions, and abrupt regulatory changes. These dynamics demand a fundamental shift in how organizations approach Travel Risk Management (TRM). Traditional static travel policies—often reviewed periodically—are no longer adequate.

Risk management frameworks must be dynamic, tailored to specific contexts, and responsive to fast-changing conditions. A more adaptive and integrated approach is essential in the new era of increasing polarization and heightened uncertainty.

Organizations that succeed in this environment will shift from reactive strategies to proactive readiness. Travel risk management can no longer function in isolation, whether as a responsibility of a single department or individual.

It requires organization-wide alignment, integration of real-time intelligence, cross-functional collaboration, and investment in practical training.

Effective travel risk management is no longer about issuing approvals or denials—it is about fostering operational agility, resilience, and, most of all, building a culture of readiness.

Relevant lessons are drawn from the humanitarian sector. International aid organizations frequently operate in complex, high-risk environments.

Their decision-making centers on enabling access safely, rather than defaulting to avoidance. This approach is informed by localized intelligence and rooted in mission-driven priorities, as well as the ever-present pressure to deliver services.

These organizations are not liberated from internal challenges, such as fragmented security functions and errors in judgment or risk postures. But they consistently excel in balancing access and safety through integrated planning.

The private sector can apply similar principles of enabling operations, rather than defaulting to restrictions. This kind of organizational change is never easy and is often deferred while preoccupied with other enterprise priorities. It is particularly difficult to pull off given that it may require a change in thinking, resourcing and higher risk tolerances.

Taking smaller, more incremental steps can be a practical way forward, including any or all of the following actions:

Conduct Scenario-Based Planning

Organizations benefit from modeling a range of plausible disruptions, such as cyber incidents, political unrest, or abrupt changes in immigration rules or enforcement. Travel disruptions occur with minimal warning.

The Newark incident, for example, led to widespread delays and cancellations that rippled across the country and world. Tabletop exercises and crisis simulations help identify procedural gaps and enhance coordination among leadership, travel managers, and security teams.

Establish Dedicated Incident Teams

Effective response to political, health-related, or digital travel incidents requires informed, rapid-response teams. These groups should have access to real-time intelligence and the ability to support travelers through coordination with local contacts and internal stakeholders.

Clearly defined roles, networks, and mandates are essential to ensuring a swift, coordinated response.

Secure Mobile Devices and Involve IT Teams

Mitigation strategies include minimizing stored data, applying robust encryption, and clearly defining what information should and should not be taken at home or abroad.

Leverage Real-Time Intelligence

Timely, actionable intelligence is critical to anticipating and responding to disruptions. Modern travel risk ecosystems are increasingly supported by digital tools such as traveler tracking systems, mobile alerts, and incident reporting platforms that enable organizations to stay connected with employees and respond rapidly when incidents occur.

Prepare Travelers Proactively