Industry Focuses on Business Fares

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives today announced the formation of the Airfare Focus Group, which aims to develop an airfare structure proposal to "jumpstart" the business travel industry. The group hopes to present possible solutions to major airlines no later than Jan. 1. ACTE said the proposal will include a simplified published airfare structure and recognize responsibilities in corporate volume purchasing.

Mark Williams, ACTE treasurer and focus group member, said, "Our industry realizes that the system is broken and change is needed." He noted that Rosenbluth International's proposal, announced yesterday, is "a good start."

Meanwhile, in an effort to draw business travelers back to its planes, United Airlines today extended its Back-To-Business fare options until March 31. These offerings, initially set to expire at the end of the year, provide deep discounts in exchange for advanced purchase. These types of fares have been increasingly available throughout the industry. Northwest Airlines, for example, earlier this month said its BizFlex fares may now be included in all corporate discount programs.