Sharply discounted airfares bring back business travellers

www.americanexpress.com

Deeply-discounted airfares are a boon to business travellers, who are taking to the skies in increased numbers again, even though it means that they are frequently choosing economy class to save on travel costs, a new study has shown.

The lowest economy airfares continued to drop during the first quarter, with substantial discounts offered on published rates, of as much as 78 per cent in some cases.

In the latest edition of the American Express Business Travel Monitor for Europe, Middle East and Africa, it was reported that discounted fares found by “savvy” corporate customers, combined with the trend to downgrade from first class to business class or from business class to economy class, has meant that capacity in premium classes hasn’t been reduced as much as might have been anticipated.

This may well be the reason that consumers are finding premium-class airfares holding steady – or in some cases rising – as compared to rates during the same quarter in 2008, the Amex report noted.

Joakim Johansson, speaking on behalf of the company, said: “As business travel budgets continue to be under tight scrutiny and European companies seek more advice on identifying and maximizing ROI, those continuing to travel are taking advantage of deepening corporate discounts on the majority of fare classes, compared with the end of 2008.”

Thanks to www.travelmole.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.americanexpress.com