The business travel sector is being battered by this recession but will survive, according to recruiters.

Last week British Airways reported a new drop of 11.9% in its premium traffic for August, while economy traffic rose by 1.3% for month compared with 2008.

Ian Brooks, director at Gail Kenny Executive Search, told Recruiter: “The business market will always have a future, but historical yields may never be achieved again.

“Airlines may need to look to reduce the size of their business class cabins as well. Most long haul carriers now offer a half-way house often called Premium Economy, which offers larger seats and more leg room, but not the full reclining beds available in business class.

“These Premium Economy products are popular with higher end leisure passengers as well as more budget-conscious business travellers.

“The airlines will adapt. Those that don’t will end up with their fleets in the deserts of Arizona.”

And Julia Feuell, managing director at New Frontiers, adds: “One of the largest business travel businesses has predicted a rise in business travel from September and booked a significant number of temps in anticipation of this increase in business. This is a solid and significant sign of a recovery and while we’ve yet to see how September goes, all signs are that the ‘winds of change’ are upon us.”