Premium Airline Passenger Traffic (Sept 2011)

Released by IATA, on November 17th 2011, the key points from their report on premium and economy airline travel in September 2011.

• Premium travel is proving remarkably robust, rebounding in September to a level 6.7% higher than a year earlier;
• However, all the growth happened by May; since then premium travel markets have made no further progress;
• World trade is flat and business confidence has fallen sharply - we still believe these business travel drivers will slow premium growth in the months ahead;
• Economy travel rose to new highs as the declining share of premium travel suggests business traveling are once more trading down to cheaper seats;
• The strongest international travel markets were within-Europe and Europe-Far East, which seem fragile foundations for future travel growth;
• Renewed strength of travel within the Far East appears more firmly based on robust economic growth and trade lanes;

"While we [IATA] expect overall travel to slow in the fourth quarter and 2012, there are still likely to be emerging markets continuing to grow strongly."

IATA 'Premium Traffic Monitor - September 2011'