Government should complement investment at MIA so tourists get the best possible experience – PN

Investment such as that being carried out by MIA, the company that operates Malta International Airport, is very important, but it is not enough, because the Government must ensure that it complements this investment at the airport by investing in the country’s infrastructure so that tourists are truly provided with a better experience and the quality continues to improve, the Nationalist Party said in a statement on Wednesday.

These were the words of the Leader of the PN Alex Borg at the end of a visit he made this afternoon to Malta International Airport. During the visit he toured the various sections of the airport and observed the works currently underway as MIA continues to enhance the services it offers. 

MIA is currently carrying out a number of projects, chief among them the improvement and modernisation of the check-in area and the extension of the terminal. This project is expected to be completed by 2028 and includes doubling the number of check-in desks compared to today. The new terminal, spread across 6,000 square metres, is the largest investment the company has made since the airport was privatised. The aim is to improve the passenger experience and ensure that the airport is in a position to accommodate growth in traffic in the years ahead. 

Among other things, the PN Leader, who was welcomed by MIA Chief Executive Officer Alan Borg, was taken on a visit to the Departures hall, the retail area and the La Valette Lounge, which has also undergone modernisation. He also visited the main MIA offices which serve as the heart of the airport, Immigration and Passport Control, the Baggage Reclaim area, as well as the Arrivals Lounge.

He met members of management and workers across the various sections of the airport, not only those employed by MIA but also immigration officers, police officers and employees of the various companies operating within the Duty Free area. 

Alex Borg praised the strong and continuous investment made by MIA and emphasised the need for the Government to also invest in the country’s infrastructure so that the good impression tourists receive at the airport as soon as they set foot in Malta is replicated in the rest of the product we offer as a country. 

In 2025 more than 10 million passengers passed through the airport, representing growth of 12% over 2024. Aircraft movements increased by 11.4%, while seat capacity rose by 13.1%. 

The largest markets from which passengers travelling through MIA originate are the United Kingdom and Italy with 20%, Poland with 9%, Germany with 8%, and France with 6%. Ryanair remains the airline carrying the largest number of passengers with a 51% market share, followed by KM Malta Airlines with 17%, and then EasyJet, Wizz Air and Lufthansa. This year, Delta is also expected to join the list of airlines, providing direct flights to the United States. 

The PN delegation led by Alex Borg included Shadow Ministers Mario de Marco, Ryan Callus, Ivan Castillo and Darren Carabott. PN candidate Duncan Borg Myatt was also present.