Global premium passenger numbers rose 6.1 per cent in January, a strong result compared to the 2013 growth of 4.2 per cent, a report said.

Growth in premium travel has been supported by positive developments in the business environment, the Iata report said.

Improvements in advanced economies have helped global business confidence reach three-year highs and as a result, travel on key markets like the North Atlantic continues to accelerate, rising 5 per cent in January, it said.

The largest contributor to the strong growth in January was premium travel within the Far East (up 7.2%).

Growth in Asian trade activity over recent months also helped support international business and premium travel. -TradeArabia News Service