International trade body, the IATA, announced on Thursday that much of August's rise in premium passenger numbers came from the North Atlantic, where British Airways, an airline owned by IAG, dominates.

During August of this year the number of passengers flying on premium seats climbed 8.5% compared to the same month in 2011. Economy class travel figures also improved, although not quite to the same extent.

The IATA said that the rise in premium travel was narrowly based, with much of the increase coming from within Europe and across the North Atlantic.

However, it added that this may have been partly attributable to the numerous flight cancellations that occurred across the North Atlantic in August last year, leading to a particularly weak month for airlines working in that region.

Premium travel across the North Atlantic increased 4.8% in August year-on-year, having contracted 2.9% in July, the IATA said. The North Atlantic route accounted for 18.6% of traffic and 23.5% of revenues during the four-week period.

IAG shares rose 2.03% to 160.80p by mid-afternoon.

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