Premium Traffic Plummets – Silver Lining?
Sobering news from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) (Web site: www.iata.org). IATA’s premium traffic monitor says premium (essentially First and Business Class) travel fell by 8 percent this September compared to September 2007.
In a prepared release, IATA says: “This sharp deterioration reflects a slump in the confidence of manufacturers during September in the U.S., Japan and Europe.” Other factors are the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, and the “wider turmoil in the financial sector.”
Economy-Class travel fell by half as much when comparing September 2008 to the same month in 2007. It was down by 4 percent.
A Cheapflights’ observation: while bad for the airlines, the sharp drop in, especially, Business-Class travel could mean more discount opportunities for flyers. We’ve noticed a number of Business-Class sales of late notably on Air France and El Al. Where there’s a vacuum, the market will try to fill it. Check out our savings and deals channel for all the latest sales – Business Class and Economy.
© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler
Related articles: Discount Airfare: Air France Business-Class Deals