LONDON (AP) — Six days of lost flying caused by Iceland's volcano eruption slashed British Airways' passenger numbers by nearly a quarter in April, the airline said yesterday.

Traffic measured in revenue passenger kilometres — the total number of kilometres travelled by all passengers — declined 22 percent, the airline said. Air freight was less affected, falling 11 percent in cargo ton kilometres.

However, BA said the underlying traffic volumes discounting for the disruption "continue to show a positive trend".