Airline giant reports rise in passengers

International Airlines Group (IAG), formed by the merger of British Airways and Iberia, yesterday posted a small rise in traffic in January, boosted by strong growth in first- and business-class passengers.

Overall traffic rose by 1.1 per cent with first- and business-class travel – the most profitable part of its passenger business – up 3.8 per cent. Non-premium traffic was up 0.7 per cent.

IAG said that underlying market conditions at its London Heathrow hub appear firm although its Spanish operations have been hit by a series of strikes by pilots. Shares in the company rose 5.4p at 189.7p.