IATA reports 1.7% rise in Dec-2009 premium traffic

IATA reports (16-Feb-2010) the following premium traffic growth highlights by region:

• Dec-2009:
  • Total international: +1.7% year-on-year;
    • Within Africa: -12.6%;
    • Within Far East: +14.5%;
    • Within Middle East: +3.5%;
    • Within North America: -13.3%;
    • Within Southwest Pacific: +9.3%;
    • Within Europe: -9.7%;
• 12 months ended Dec-2009:
  • Total international: -15.8% year-on-year;
    • Within Africa: -5.1%;
    • Within Far East: -19.8%;
    • Within Middle East: -7.6%;
    • Within North America: -20.1%;
    • Within Southwest Pacific: -7.7%;
    • Within Europe: -25.1%. [more][more - Perspective]

IATA: "2009 was a year of two very distinct halves, with the final stages of severe recession impacting the first half and then the post-recession upturn in the second half. May marked the low point for premium travel, when numbers were 25% down on early 2008 levels. Although there has been an 11% upturn since then premium travel remained 17% below that previous 2008 high by December. Given trend growth of 5% a year, that implies that the industry has effectively lost 6 years of premium travel growth," IATA statement. Source: IATA, 16-Feb-2010.