British Airways reported 3.6 percent higher yields "due to an improved mix of premium traffic and the effect of fuel surcharge increases

," 3.8 percent higher passenger revenue and 4.4 percent higher premium traffic for the three-month period ending in March. BA referred to a "significant economic slowdown in the last six months" including weak long-haul non-premium traffic since August. Doubled year-over-year fuel prices will make the current quarter "particularly difficult," BA said.