IATA figures show some promise

IATA (International Air Transport Association) has published figures which indicate that the fall in the number of passengers flying Business and First Class is showing some signs of stabilising.  Total passenger numbers for member airlines in June were 7.1% lower than a year earlier, against a 9.2% fall in May.  Premium travel slowed to 21.3% in June from 23.6%, still a very serious drop.  Economy bookings were 5.5% less in June than a year earlier against a 7.6% the previous month.  Since March the numbers travelling Economy Class had shown signs of reaching a floor, but until June that seemed largely due to business travellers switching to cheaper seats rather than any underlying stabilisation of demand, it said.  IATA noted that revenues from premium travel were declining at a rate close to 40%.  Front end passengers typically make up 7-10% of numbers but 25-30% of revenues. www.iata.org

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