IATA Premium Traffic Monitor - March 2010

IATA Premium Traffic Monitor – March 2010

* There was a strong rise in premium travel demand in March, which was up 10.8% on the previous year;

* During the first quarter premium travel expanded at an annualized rate of 25% over the fourth quarter, driven by the rise in business travel;

* However, the fall in premium travel in 08/09 was so large that the size of this market is still 15% smaller than before the recession;

* Economy travel is now back to pre-recession levels and was 7.4% up on the same month last year in March;

* Very large differences in growth between geographical markets persist;

* At one end of the spectrum is Asia and connecting markets while at the other are weak European markets, reflecting the weak economic environment;

* The volcanic ash plume in April is expected to dent this expansion, cutting international travel numbers in that month by an estimated 4%.