British Airways-owner IAG said passenger numbers in January rose 7% to 7.7 million from 7.2 million, compared to the same month the year before. The passenger load factor - the number of passengers as a proportion of seats available - edged up to 78.6% from 78.4%. Revenue per passenger kilometres, which measures group traffic, rose by 7.9% to 20.1 million from 18.6 million. Available seat kilometres for the group increased by 7.6% to 25.6 million from 23.8 million the prior year. British Airways' traffic rose in January year-on-year by 2.9% to 11.6 million, while Aer Lingus' and Iberia's traffic both increased by 13%, and Vueling's by 9%.