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Officials at British Airways (BA) are predicting a continued slump in business class travel and are suggesting that the downturn could continue for another five years. The high end market of business and first class used to be the main source of revenue for BA. That came to a screeching halt with the start of the recession and it has company executives at BA worried.

The economic downturn is forcing businesses to require that executives fly economy class. Some companies are taking the step of canceling travel altogether in favor of more high-tech methods of communication such as internet conferencing. As virtual offices become more popular airline travel declines.

“BA’s view is that it will take quite a long time, potentially more than five years, before the full value of the business market returns. Right now businesses are putting more people into economy class,” said Mr Talling-Smith, a spokesperson for BA.

Once companies have made the switch away from business class, airlines fear that it will be hard to win them back.

Airlines are trying to lure back customers by offering cut rate deals and two-for-one offers in business class. There are some attractive deals available for summer travel but it is doubtful that the move will have a long term impact on recovery.

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

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