2008-03-15 00:30:47 -

www.airplus.com - AirPlus International Rana Walker, Communication and Marketing Manager +1 (703) 373-0947 rwalker@airplus.com AirPlus International, a leading global provider of business travel payment solutions, is pleased to announce the release of the third annual AirPlus Travel Management Study. The study, comprised of research and interviews with 1,000 travel managers in ten countries (nine European

and the US), shows optimism for growth in business travel. The US is generally more convinced (61%) this year, than last year, that the number of business trips will increase, and with little surprise, so will the costs (76%).

The study showcases the US as leading all countries surveyed in implementation of best practices for travel management. More than 77% of business travelers use corporate cards to pay for travel expenses (this is 18% higher than the study's overall average) and surprisingly, the usage doesn't vary much according to size of travel spend. Also, far more companies in the US, than elsewhere, have moved to electronic invoicing, with only 36% dependent on paper invoicing.

The 30-page study also reflects growth in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector across all ten countries, where 36% of respondents believe the volume will grow, up 10% from the preceding year's study. Another trend among those surveyed is that analysis tools are necessary for optimum cost transparency (66%), integration of data (65%), high data quality (62%) and stronger negotiating position with suppliers (60%). More facts and figures are outlined, and readily available to the public, in the study.

"The AirPlus Travel Management Study is an important annual benchmark of industry trends. Each year the results are more robust and bring relevance for today's business travel marketplace," said Richard Crum, AirPlus International's President.

The AirPlus International Travel Management Study, as in the two previous years, was conducted on behalf of AirPlus by Ipsos, an international market research institute. A total of 1,000 travel managers from 10 countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, the UK and the US) were surveyed. For copies of the study, please visit our website www.airplus.com/us/content/e2/e18416/e26948/index_usa.html.

With more than 32,000 corporate customers worldwide, AirPlus International is a global leader in business travel payment solutions, offering lodge card accounts, corporate cards and online management tools. AirPlus settles flight tickets from more than 260 airlines and is the preferred partner of various airlines such as British Airways (NYSE:BAB), Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL), Luxair, Lufthansa German Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal and Singapore Airlines. AirPlus International is the world's largest issuer of UATP. For further information, please visit www.airplus.com. For further information, please contact Rana Walker, Communication and Marketing Manager at rwalker@airplus.com or +1 (703) 373-0947.

Study Reflects Optimism, Increase in Business Travel Despite
Growing Economic Concerns