Premium passengers 'still switching to economy'

Passengers are returning to first class and business class cabins as the aviation industry begins to bounce back from the economic downturn, newly-published figures show.

According to the latest statistics released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), sales of the most expensive seats, which represent the most lucrative source of revenues for most airlines, are beginning to stabilise after several months of decline.

The industry body also reported that total passenger numbers in June were just 7.1 per cent lower than in the same month of 2008, compared to the 9.1 per cent year-on-year drop recorded for May.

However, this slight upturn has been partly attributed to business flyers trading down to economy seats, with IATA reporting that a significant proportion of airlines believe that a full recovery will take until 2011 to materialise.

The organisation's latest Premium Traffic Report concluded: "Passenger travel numbers in June are now indicating some stabilisation in air travel demand.

"Notably the decline moderated in both premium and economy travel in June."

Meanwhile, Aer Lingus has reported continued strong demand for its flights out of Belfast International Airport, with the carrier celebrating flying its one millionth passenger out of the hub this week.

Posted by Paul, 19 August 2009 11:24

News tags

• Belfast
• Aer Lingus