Premium traffic stable in Oct-2011: IATA

IATA reports (15-Dec-2011) the following premium traffic growth highlights by region in Oct-2011:

• Total international: +0.1% year-on-year;
  • Within Africa: +5.9%;
  • Within Far East: +4.1%;
  • Within Middle East: +3.2%;
  • Within North America: -4.8%;
  • Within Southwest Pacific: -6.6%;
  • Within Europe: -3.3%. [more - original PR]

IATA: "Stagnant international trade and declining business confidence points to further weakness in business travel. Given that jet fuel prices have not fallen from Q3 levels, these developments imply that the fourth quarter will be more challenging for airline profitability than the third." Source: Company statement, 15-Dec-2011.