IATA reported that international premium traffic for December was up 3.7% compared to the year-ago month, and a 1.7% growth in November.
“Although premium travel strengthened at the end of 2011, the trend for the previous eight months had been flat at best,” said IATA in its latest premium traffic monitor. “Over the past two months, premium travel has expanded further than economy, improving the mix for airlines and ending the deterioration seen since early 2011,” IATA said.
Economy travel grew 7.4% in December, compared to the same month in 2010. IATA said that economy travel “continues to trend upwards, albeit at a slower pace than in the first half of 2011.”
According to IATA, during the year as a whole, premium travel markets grew 5.5%, with economy travel growing 5.1%.
The strongest premium traffic growth in December was recorded on the Central America-South America routes, which reported a 31.1% growth year-over-year. Next highest growth rate was on Europe-Middle East routes (up 11.1%), followed by routes within Africa (up 10%) compared to December 2010. IATA said exports from some central and northern European markets to growing Asian economies may account for the strength of Europe-Far East markets.
The worst performing routes in December were on Europe-Southwest Pacific routes, declining 17.5%, followed by routes in the South Pacific (down 9.7%) and Africa-Far East routes (down 9%).
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