Int'l premium traffic up 8.6% in Mar-2012, int'l economy traffic up 8.9%: IATA

IATA reports (16-May-2012) the following premium and economy traffic growth highlights by region in Mar-2012:

• Premium traffic:
• Total international: +8.6% year-on-year;
  • Within Africa: +20.2%;
  • Within Far East: +13.2%;
  • Within Middle East: +17.8%;
  • Within North America: +3.6%;
  • Within Southwest Pacific: -2.1%;
  • Within Europe: +3.1%;
• Economy traffic:
• Total international: +8.9%;
  • Within Africa: +16%;
  • Within Far East: +12.4%;
  • Within Middle East: +16.3%;
  • Within North America: -0.6%;
  • Within Southwest Pacific: +4.3%;
  • Within Europe: +7.2%. [more - original PR]

IATA: "Moreover, business confidence, as measured by the Purchasing Managers' Index, has shown significant improvement since the end of 2011, and is now signaling a modest expansion in manufacturing activity for the fifth consecutive month. Since the Index is typically a leading indicator of business and therefore premium travel, the current trend and level suggests premium travel markets could continue to expand over the coming months," Source: Company statement, 16-May-2012.