Malta International Airport plc - June Traffic Results & Revised Forecast

On 21 July, Malta International Airport plc announced the June 2011 traffic statistics. Following the 5.8% increase in May, the airport operator registered a 4.4% increase in passenger movements during June. Aircraft movements however decreased by 7.8% when compared to June 2010. MIA explained that the increase in passenger numbers during the month was mainly due to the considerable increase in the seat load factor.

During the first six months of 2011, passenger movements reached 1,556,058, representing a 12.7% increase over the first half of 2010. Aircraft movements and seat capacity for the same period grew by 4.4% and 6.8% respectively over the first six months in 2010. MIA explained that the core markets all registered an increase in the first half of this year. The UK remained the top destination with an increase of 7% (accounting for 31% of overall passengers) whilst Italy ranked second as it registered an increase of 5.5% (18% share of passenger numbers) over the first six months of 2010. During the period under review the German and French markets also registered significant increases of 21% and 22.3% respectively while passenger volumes from Spain grew by 14.9%.

Given the positive results achieved so far, MIA revised its passenger forecast upwards. Earlier this year, the company initially estimated to maintain the same record passenger levels of 3.29 million achieved in 2010. However, following the actual passenger throughput registered during the first six months, the airport operator is now forecasting an increase of 3.2% during 2011 to a new record high of 3.4 million passenger movements.

A presentation showing the breakdown of the 2011 Half-Year Traffic Results in available from our download section.