St. Petersburg – Amr Yehia
* From Saint Petersburg to the World: Julia Lipatova, Managing Director of Aeroclub Group, Outlines a Vision for Next-Gen Corporate Travel
Julia Lipatova, Managing Director of Aeroclub Group, a trailblazer in Russia’s business travel sector since 1994, shared insights on how the industry is rapidly evolving—and how Aeroclub is steering that transformation. Based in Saint Petersburg, Aeroclub serves over 2,000 corporate clients, supported by a team of more than 650 professionals. With a turnover of 63 billion rubles in 2024 and 1.4 million transactions annually, it is a major player in the TravelTech space.
Aeroclub is also a proud member of IATA and an official BCD Travel partner, reinforcing its global reach and credibility.
🚀 5 Key Trends Reshaping the Business Travel Landscape
- Agentic AI Takes the Lead
Unlike traditional generative AI, Agentic AI acts proactively—anticipating traveler needs, optimizing costs, and improving planning. Far from replacing human agents, it enhances their strategic value. - Mobile Meetings Become the Norm
Business discussions are increasingly held in transit—on planes, trains, or lounges. Transport providers are adapting by introducing business-class meeting zones and mobile workspaces. - Hyper-Personalized Travel Experiences
With NDC and digital modularity, companies now customize trips to suit each employee, paying only for what they need—ushering in a new era of flexible, lean travel. - Gen Z Influence and the Bleisure Boom
By 2025, Gen Z will comprise 25% of the global workforce. Their demand for sustainable, flexible travel is boosting interest in “bleisure” (business + leisure) and eco-conscious options like rail. - The Local Travel Surge
Domestic corporate travel in Russia grew by 27% in 2024, hitting 1.05 trillion rubles. Today, 86% of business trips are domestic, as companies prioritize local markets and destinations.
🌍 New Routes, New Priorities
The geography of business travel is shifting. In 2025:
- Asia and the Middle East dominate the map:
- China (hotel demand +31%) remains #1
- Kazakhstan (+19%) and Uzbekistan (+38%) are rising stars
- UAE, Turkey, South Korea, India, and Armenia are on the radar
- Even Germany and France are regaining ground
- Luxury and Comfort matter more:
- 5-star bookings now make up 38% of all business travel
- Companies are tying travel to HR and ESG policies—aiming for fewer, better trips
🤖 From Russia to BRICS+: Exporting TravelTech Intelligence
Russia is becoming a powerhouse in TravelTech, with over 60% of corporate travel managed online—and some firms reaching 97% automation. Aeroclub’s in-house neural networks enforce policy compliance, manage booking, and analyze demand in real-time.
Looking forward, Aeroclub plans to scale these innovations to BRICS+ markets like Kazakhstan, Turkey, China, Brazil, South Africa, and India, where business travel is booming.
“We don’t just follow trends—we aim to define them,” says Lipatova. “BRICS+ is where the future of global travel lies, and Aeroclub is ready to lead.”
