Slowdown in business class travel
By Barbara Lewis |
May 17, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE growth rate in premium air travel fell significantly in March compared to February because of the Japan tsunami and earthquakes and unrest in the Arab world, the International Air Transport Association said yesterday.
The number of people traveling business or first class internationally was 2.9 percent higher year-on-year in March, compared with a 7.8 percent year-on-year rise in February and 9.1 percent in the fourth quarter.
Economy traffic dropped to 1.1 percent in March, from 3.4 percent in February and 5.9 percent in the fourth quarter.
"The decline of economy travel over the past five months is more of a concern than the recent fall in premium passenger numbers," IATA said. "Fuel prices rose US$40 per barrel over this period and airlines attempted to recoup these higher costs. The adverse impact of this on price-sensitive economy travel is apparent."
IATA estimated that without the situation in Japan and the Middle East, premium travel would have grown by 5 percent or more.
The number of people traveling business or first class internationally was 2.9 percent higher year-on-year in March, compared with a 7.8 percent year-on-year rise in February and 9.1 percent in the fourth quarter.
Economy traffic dropped to 1.1 percent in March, from 3.4 percent in February and 5.9 percent in the fourth quarter.
"The decline of economy travel over the past five months is more of a concern than the recent fall in premium passenger numbers," IATA said. "Fuel prices rose US$40 per barrel over this period and airlines attempted to recoup these higher costs. The adverse impact of this on price-sensitive economy travel is apparent."
IATA estimated that without the situation in Japan and the Middle East, premium travel would have grown by 5 percent or more.
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