Last Updated on Tuesday, 9 July, 2019 at 4:57 pm by Christian Keszthelyi
Malta International Airport (MLA) saw its passenger numbers increasing by 5.9% in the first half of the year, reaching 3.2 million, as compared to the same period a year earlier, according to a press statement sent to Business Malta.
Malta Airport CEO Alan Borg said that the airport’s performance in the first half of the year confirms the company’s confidence in its forecast of 7.2 million passenger movements expected by end of the year. The CEO spoke during the press conference earlier today, organised to announce the figures.
MLA figures suggest that every month in the first half of the year saw record numbers of passengers travelling through the international airport of the islands. April was the best performer in terms of traffic with a 10.5% increase as compared to the same month a year earlier. June’s 8.8% year-on-year growth closely follows as second.
Referring to the analyses published last week by Airports Council International (ACI) in its Airport Industry Connectivity Report 2019, Mr Borg highlighted that Malta International Airport’s connectivity doubled between 2009 and 2019, putting it in the lead in a group of 26 airports in the European Union.
“These solid results stem from Malta International Airport’s constant efforts, made together with the government and our main tourism stakeholders, to make sure that the islands are served by the most convenient connections all year round. The launch of three new routes this October, the extension of 17 routes from summer into the upcoming winter season, and increased flight frequencies on several routes, allow us to look ahead with confidence, while encouraging us to keep working on securing sustainable traffic,” said Mr Borg.
Minister for Tourism Konrad Mizzi said that these positive results reflect the government’s and Malta International Airport’s strategy and efforts in enhancing Malta’s connectivity with key tourism and business markets. Minister Mizzi also commented that it is positive to note that the MLA is on track to reaching its next milestone of 7 million passenger movements by the end of this year.
Malta Tourism Authority Executive Chairman Gavin Gulia reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to working with the airport to enhance airline connectivity to the Maltese islands with the aim of diversifying and further boosting tourism.
