SHORTHAUL: Global travel up just 2 per cent GLOBAL airline travel softened in May, according to the International Air Transport Association. Premium travel was up just 2 per cent year-on-year, a slowdown on April growth of 3.8 per cent, while economy travel was up 3.9 per cent, compared to 4-5 per cent adjusted growth in April. "Air travel drivers have weakened: business confidence is flat and falling export orders signal slow world trade growth," IATA said. Air travel growth is unlikely to accelerate in the near term; growth is expected to trend at current rates.