Australian SME business travel to U.S. grows 9% amid geopolitical tension

Business travel between Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the United States grew by 9% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This increase occurred despite significant geopolitical and economic challenges, including a 10% U.S. baseline tariff on Australian goods and a conflict between the United States and Iran that disrupted global aviation, shipping, and oil markets.

According to data from Corporate Traveller, a division of Flight Centre Travel Group, leading industries for this travel include education, services, information technology, government/NFP, and finance and insurance. The growth comes as airline capacity between the two nations has expanded, with new or upgraded services from carriers such as Delta Air Lines and Qantas.

SMEs represent nearly 98% of all Australian businesses and contribute over half of the national GDP. Industry surveys suggest that SMEs remain a confident segment of the corporate travel market, with many expecting to increase travel budgets throughout the remainder of 2026.