Return of business travel, sustainable fuels expected in aviation's future
International business travel is not expected to remain permanently depressed, though it will likely recover from the coronavirus pandemic at a slower rate than leisure travel, United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said on Monday during CERAWeek by IHS Markit.
Business travel was a key area of growth for the airline industry prior to last year's onset of the coronavirus pandemic, which sapped demand for all transportation fuels worldwide.
Fears that business travel will never return are unfounded, Kirby said during the virtual energy conference, arguing that while some companies may try to reduce business travel to cut costs, they will run up against competition who are willing to fly.
"The first time they lose a sale to a competitor who showed up in person while they tried to do a sales call over Zoom, will be the last time they try to do a sales call on Zoom," Kirby said.
