Int'l premium traffic up 4% in Sep-2012, int'l economy traffic up 5%

IATA reports (19-Nov-2012) the following premium and economy traffic growth highlights by region in Sep-2012:

• Premium traffic:
• Total international: +3.8% year-on-year;
  • Within Africa: 23.2%;
  • Within Far East: +1.6%;
  • Within North America: +6.4%;
  • Within South America: -1.8%;
  • Within Europe: +2.6%;
• Economy traffic:
• Total international: +5.0%;
  • Within Africa: +14.4%;
  • Within Far East: +4.0%;
  • Within North America: -2.1%;
  • Within South America: +3.1%;
  • Within Europe: +5.2%. [more - original PR]

IATA: "The weakness in business confidence and the slowdown of world trade growth have kept air travel demand from expanding at the solid rates seen during earlier periods. The measure of overall business confidence did improve modestly in the last two months, but it is still indicating a contraction in manufacturing activity, now for five consecutive months. Consequently, we expect the pace of growth in air travel, particularly in premium markets, to remain modest over the coming months." Source: Company statement, 19-Nov-2012.