Malta International Airport plc - January Traffic Statistics

On 6 February, Malta International Airport plc published the January 2012 traffic results. The statistics reveal a 2.2% decrease in passenger movements to 165,969 when compared to the same month last year due to a 9.8% decline in seat capacity for the month. Meanwhile, the average seat load factor increased to 65.2% in January 2012 from 60.1% in January 2011.

The airport operator stated that the German and United Arab Emirates markets registered a significant increase of 25.6% and 19.6% respectively whilst the UK market only registered an increase of 2.2%. On the other hand, statistics for the Italian and French market showed a decline of 16.2% and 13.4% during the month under review.

MIA is forecasting that passenger numbers for 2012 will be 2.8% lower than those registered in 2011 but still 3% above the previous record achieved in 2010. The airport operator expects a decline in passenger numbers during the first quarter of the year and a consolidations of last year’s record passenger movements during the summer months.