Premium traffic up 2.9% in Mar-2011: IATA

IATA reports (16-May-2011) the following premium traffic growth highlights by region in Mar-2011:

• Total international: +2.9% year-on-year;
  • Within Africa: +14.2%;
  • Within Far East: +0.6%;
  • Within Middle East: -4.5%;
  • Within North America: -8.1%;
  • Within Southwest Pacific: -26.6%;
  • Within Europe: +1.2%. [more]

IATA: "Premium travel usually grows in line with world trade. World trade was growing by 9% in February, and is forecast to average 6% growth this year. Leading indicators of business travel such as the purchasing managers index were down in March and April but remain at levels consistent with 5% or so premium travel growth. This suggests that the current weakness is temporary. The second quarter is likely to continue to be weakened by events in Japan, although the comparison with the volcanic ash cloud affected period last year will exaggerate the April year-on-year growth rate. We expect premium travel to pick up to 5-6% growth in the second half of this year," Source: Company statement, 16-May-2011.