IATA reports 5.9% rise in Feb-2010 premium traffic

IATA reports (15-Apr-2010) the following premium traffic growth highlights by region in Feb-2010:

• Total international: +5.9% year-on-year;
  • Within Africa: -6.9%;
  • Within Far East: +27.5%;
  • Within Middle East: +13.4%;
  • Within North America: -2.0%;
  • Within Southwest Pacific: +6.5%;
  • Within Europe: -3.7%. [more][more - Perspective]

IATA: "Back in early 2009, when the premium travel market had shrunk by around one quarter, the justifiable fear was that this was a structural, permanent loss. However, as world trade growth returned so has premium travel. There is still some way to go before premium travel recovers previous highs but the decline looks to have been cyclical and we are now moving into the upturn phase of the cycle," IATA statement. Source: IATA, 15-Apr-2010.