Singapore - Business class airfares in the Asia-Pacific region climbed 4 per cent in the first quarter of this year on demand for long-haul flights to the Americas and on regional routes, a business travel monitor said on Thursday.

Airfares across the region rose 7 per cent year-on-year, said the American Express report.

"Current economic conditions seem to be having little effect on published airfares across (the) Asia-Pacific, with demand still outstripping supply, The Business Times quoted advisory services head Kurt Knackstedt as saying.

Some airlines are shifting towards a different business model to capitalize on the popularity of business class seats.

Singapore Airlines is converting its daily direct flights to Los Angeles and New York to all-business class.

India was the exception to the upward trend in airfares in the region, the report said.

Competition from new airlines and low-cost carriers in the domestic market caused an 8 per cent quarter-on-quarter drop in discount business and economy fares. (dpa)