International Air Transport Association said August global airline traffic data showed year-over-year declines in both premium and economy class passengers

The "for the first time since SARS in 2003." Premium passenger numbers fell 1.5 percent, marking a third consecutive month of slowing global premium volumes. Business and first class traffic across the Atlantic, however, continued to grow, "but the recent financial sector crisis is likely to weaken this market in future months," IATA said.