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After the Christmas security alert raised by the bombing attempt on the Amsterdam to Detroit flight, security measures, especially in US airports, have become stricter while relying on new advanced technology as was the case with the introduction of new tridimensional body-scanners. Main American airports have warned passengers to allow up to three hours for check-in prior to departure.

The new measures have not yet been implemented in all European countries, with the exception of the Netherlands. In fact, opinions from European countries representatives are still very much divided over the necessity to implement such new security measures and the impact this might have on the already suffering airline industry.

These worries, however, seem to be premature for what concerns the lucrative business travel segment and the levels of business travel flights. At least that is what appears from research of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA). A recent survey directed to travel managers showed that, although more than 43% of respondents confirmed there are new concerns in their respective companies over travel security, 81% stated this was not a reason to reduce international business travelling. Furthermore, the study also showed that 48% of respondents admit the new security implementations from the start of 2010 have raised concerns to businesses about the comfort, travel hassle and overall convenience of air travel.

It seems that, in these circumstances, companies are trying to find the balance between keeping proper safety standards and maintaining travel efficiency without impacting the vital need to travel for business purpose. Travel managers are therefore giving further attention to efficiency of business travel and less time consuming processes by planning differently travelling itineraries (e.g. avoiding airports with very high security measures which could cause disruption) or turning to advice of travel security experts.