Business travellers double on low cost airlines

The number of business travellers using low-cost airlines has more than doubled since 1999, according to a new survey.

As many as 62% of business travellers are now going for the no-frills option, compared with just 28% three years ago, the survey from Company Barclaycard showed.

The figure for chief executives was even higher, with 63% now taking low-fare carriers.

Only 14% of business travellers said they thought that the rise in low-cost business travel was a sign of impending recession.

Also, 86% of business travellers who use low-cost airlines said they would do so again, while 85% of those who have never used them said they would consider doing so in the future.

Simon Chick, Company Barclaycard’s head of marketing, said: ‘‘Over the past six years our survey has charted the rise in popularity of low cost air lines in the business travel sector.

‘‘The fact that business travellers say this growth is not due to fears of a recession, suggests that business generally is becoming leaner and more efficient - a good sign for the longevity of this sector.’’

He went on: ‘‘Competition between Go, easyJet, Ryanair and Buzz is already intense and the announcement by bmi British Bidland of its intention to launch a low-cost airline also suggests that the sector is here to stay.’’