6 July 2010 | Andy Allen

Demand has risen in the business travel industry, giving suppliers such as airlines the balance of power when it comes to pricing.

“Airfare rates are holding steady and business travellers are trickling back to the front of the plane,” said the latest data from American Express Business Travel. 

Historically the proportion of business and economy travellers has been divided equally, but during the heart of the recession last year the percentage of tickets booked in business class fell to 36 per cent. It has now climbed back to 41 per cent, the company said.

Meanwhile, travel management firm Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) said companies could save up to a quarter of their spending on meetings and events by better management.

According to CWT the savings could be achieved through "best practice" in policy and compliance, sourcing, and processes.

The company found many businesses needed to source professionally and with selected suppliers and to optimise processes with dedicated technology.

Christophe Renard, CWT's vice-president for corporate marketing and business intelligence, said companies with a high-performing meeting and events programme tended to involve stakeholders across the organisation, including procurement.