The number of people travelling on business has recovered faster than expected, according to one of the UK's leading travel management companies.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) had expected 2010 to be relatively flat in terms of year-on-year transaction volumes.
But figures released by the TMC showed that both rail and air travel in the first half of the year were up.
Nigel Turner, CWT's director of public sector and industry affairs, said: "It has been encouraging, even with the snow, strikes and ash cloud."
Air transactions overall were up 8%, while the number of rail journeys booked was also up 8%.
Transatlantic air travel was up by 30%, and long haul up 22%.
Premium travel also made something of a surprise recovery, given that many travel policies amended over the last 12 months were dictating that travellers remained in economy seats.
On transatlantic flights an extra 40% returned to the front of the plane, with a 33% jump on long haul premium travel. Premium economy has increased 41% and 28% respectively.
Domestic air travel, however, fell 8%, suggesting travellers are continuing to opt for the railways when travelling within the UK.
Turner said average ticket prices varied by region, but that fares on Manchester and Glasgow had fallen, while some European services from London had also seen modest declines in prices.
However, as transatlantic traffic returned, so to have the prices, with a 6% increase in Q2 on services to New York.
Longhaul destinations from London have seen double digit increases in Q2, particularly in the East - Singapore (up 17%), Hong Kong (up 32%) and Shanghai (up 29%).
Hotel room rates have also experienced a slight increase. The average rate in New York, for example, is up 17% in Q2.
Other cities with high demand, such as Singapore (up 26%), Mumbai (up 11%) and Hong Kong (up 12%) have all seen double digit growth in average nightly room rates in Q2 this year.
Domestically, hotel rates in Q2 are flat or down with the exception of London.
Turner said: "We are seeing the continuation of the trend of modal shift.
"Looking at London and the five city pairs Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Brussels and Paris.
"Overall transactions are up in Q2, but looking at the split, air transactions are down on all five routes while rail is up.
"This is a trend that we have seen, tied into the decline of domestic UK air bookings, and one we predict that will continue, particularly given the plans of the Coalition government."