Business, first class tickets again in demand
A clear positive economic indicator: first and business airline seats jumped again in June.
But there are signs that growth slowed in the second quarter as economic activity returned to pre-crisis levels, the International Air Transport Association said in its monthly premium monitor.
“Demand for premium tickets in June was 16.6 percent higher than a year ago, against a 9.5 percent rise for economy, where recession and austerity measures in some countries is dampening leisure travel,” Reuters said.
Growth for the first half of the year was 11.9 percent for premium and 6.3 percent for economy.
"This sort of slowdown should be expected as the post-recession rebound and business inventory cycle boosts disappear," the report said.
Revenue on premium seats was just over 40 percent higher in June than a year ago, reflecting both the increased number of passengers and a strong rise in average fares.
Demand for seats showed wide regional variation, with Asian, South American and Middle Eastern markets strong, but trans-Atlantic routes remained sluggish.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism