British Airways February Traffic Down 8.3 Percent

British Airways said on Wednesday its passenger volumes fell 8.3 percent in February, led by a 20.2 percent slump in its key premium, or business and first class passengers.

The airline said in a statement market conditions remain challenging. It also suffered from February's extra day in the 2008 leap year and from heavy snowfalls early in the month.

The carrier said last month it was likely to make an operating loss of GBP240 million pounds (USD$338.7 million) for the fourth quarter to end March -- a record for the group.