Int'l premium traffic up 4% in Mar-2013, int'l economy traffic up 7%

IATA reports (21-May-2013) the following premium and economy traffic growth highlights by region in Mar-2013:

• Premium traffic:
  • Total international: +4.4% year-on-year;
    • Within Africa: +2.7%;
    • Within Far East: +12%;
    • Within North America: +3.5%;
    • Within South America: +1.2%;
    • Within Europe: +1.0%;
• Economy traffic:
  • Total international: +7.4%;
    • Within Africa: +6.1%;
    • Within Far East: +9.5%;
    • Within North America: +6.5%;
    • Within South America: +8.1%;
    • Within Europe: +4.6%. [more - original PR]

IATA: "Business confidence made no further progress over recent months as adverse developments in the Eurozone and US economies raised concerns about the strength of the global economic upturn. Overall, however, current business confidence levels continue to suggest expansion in the months ahead, and that will likely support further growth for business-related premium travel, particularly on markets connected to emerging economies." Source: Company statement, 21-May-2013.