IATA: Premium traffic up 2.9% in January

IATA reported that international premium traffic for January was up 2.9% compared to the year-ago month, slightly down from 3.7% in December.

“After a weak start to the 2011 fourth quarter, premium travel rebounded in December and has maintained that level in January,” IATA said in its latest premium traffic monitor. IATA noted there are “distortions in the January result due to the Chinese New Year holiday occurring a month earlier than last year—particularly in markets linked to Asia.”

Economy travel increased 6.1% in January, compared to the year-ago month, and continues to grow at a “reasonable pace,” IATA said.

The strongest premium traffic growth in January was recorded on the Central America-South America routes, which reported a 26.1% growth year-over-year. Next highest growth rate was on the Middle East-SW Pacific route (up 15.1%) followed by Middle East-Far East routes (up 14.3%) compared to January 2011.

The worst performing routes in January were on Africa-Far East routes (down 16.5%) and Europe-SW Pacific routes (down 16.4%).

Article Source : ATW Daily News