May 18 – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) yesterday said growth in demand for business and first class seats continued to grow in March. Iata said demand for premium class seats in March increased 10.8 percent compared to the same month last year, and 25 percent at an annualized rate in the first quarter of the year compare to the same period last year.
Iata said in its latest premium traffic monitor that demand for premium class seats, the most profitable part of airline’s passenger business, is still 15 percent lower than pre-crisis levels. However, there has been a stronger recovery in economy travel, which is back to pre-crisis levels with demand up 8.8 percent in March compared to the same month last year and an annualized increase of 10 percent in the first quarter.