BA reports rise in passenger traffic

British Airways, Europe's biggest airline, has reported a rise in passenger traffic for December.

Numbers were up by 4.8% from last year, although short-haul premium travel continued to be weak and below last years figures.

December's key passenger load factor rose by 1.7% to 73.3%.

BA has cut costs more aggressively than its European full-service rivals to cope with a sector downturn, with its cut-price offers contributing to the rise in passenger numbers.

BA owns minority stakes in Australia-based Qantas and Spain's Iberia and formed the Oneworld global and marketing alliance with American Airlines.