The return to growth comprised a 3.5pc increase in economy class, offsetting an 11pc fall in its more profitable front-of-cabin traffic. BA’s progress paled against figures from low-fare rival Ryanair, however, which last month saw a 19pc rise in volumes to 6.73m passengers – a new monthly record.

British Airways is benefiting from capacity cuts, with the planes flying 84.6pc full – a year-on-year improvement of 3.1 percentage points. BA said: “Underlying volumes and seat factors stabilised during the first quarter and are expected to improve in the peak summer months.”  However, BA sources cautioned that the acid test would come in the autumn once the peak holiday season was over.

The UK flag-carrier, which is still in a stand-off with its cabin crew over proposed pay cuts and changes to working conditions, added that yields – average revenue per seat – remained under pressure, while “yield uncertainty continues to make revenue forecasting difficult”. It said it expected a £450m-£500m reduction in this year’s fuel bill.

Ryanair said its “continued growth underlines that passengers during this recession are increasingly switching from high fare, fuel surcharging flag-carriers, such as Air France, BA, Lufthansa and Aer Lingus”.