The risk of employees catching the virulent coronavirus is prompting global corporations to ban international business travel, a move that will put significant pressure on airlines and associated businesses.

Business travel to and from Australia is likely to plummet over the next few months as corporations restrict employees’ movements, particularly on airlines, with global business services firm EY and developer Lendlease among firms introducing strict travel bans.

Some corporations have cancelled all business travel to Asia. Credit:AP

“We’ve taken the decision to cancel all business travel to Asia and all non-essential business travel to other destinations globally,” a spokesman for Lendlease said.

The $10 billion multinational construction, property and infrastructure company, which has about 13,000 employees, has projects in Australia, North America, Europe and Asia.