The number of international air passengers flying in premium classes in September increased 2.3 percent year over year,

according to the International Air Transport Association. The rate of increase was the same as that of economy class, and while IATA noted it was "relatively weak" compared with earlier months in the third quarter, the association added that premium markets have grown slightly this year, meaning "that the share of premium travel still seems to be trending upward from the low point reached at the bottom of the economic cycle in late 2012." Premium travel on the busy North Atlantic routes increased 2.8 percent year over year in September, which IATA noted was "slower than the trend so far this year" but still a big driver of premium traffic growth during the month. The routes with the largest premium traffic growth included those between Africa and the Middle East (17.8 percent), mid-Atlantic routes (15.8 percent) and routes between the Middle East and the Far East (15.7 percent). The biggest premium traffic percentage declines included routes within South America (down 12.2 percent), routes within Africa (down 10.5 percent), and routes between Africa and the Far East (down 8.4 percent) and Africa and Europe (down 8.3 percent).