Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates predicts drastic changes in the business industry when the pandemic is over.  The tech executive suggests that the way people travel for and conduct business will fundamentally change. In addition to a drop in business trips, he projects a decrease in air travel demand.

Bill Gates believes that companies will establish a "very high threshold" for any type of business travel and remote work will become more reasonable. "My prediction would be that over 50% of business travel and over 30% of days in the office will go away," Gates said during the New York Times’ Dealbook conference. Currently, demand for air travel, particularly for lucrative business trips, fell significantly. It will be a difficult task to restore it to the pre-pandemic level. The philanthropist and one of the richest people in the world has already found an alternative to live meetings. This year, he has held five virtual meetings with the executives of pharmaceutical companies. Previously, such forums took place in person and all participants had to fly to New York for that. "We will go to the office somewhat, we’ll do some business travel, but dramatically less," Gates said.

It seems that statistics prove Gate’s words. According to Airlines for America, an American trade association and lobbying group, the pandemic destroyed demand for air travel.