Malta International Airport plc - November Traffic Results

On 6 December, Malta International Airport plc published its November traffic results revealing a 22% increase in passenger movements to nearly 346,000 passengers – the greatest monthly percentage increase in 2016 so far – on the back of a 21.3% increase in seat capacity over the corresponding period last year as well as an improved seat load factor of 82.4% compared to 81.3% in November 2015. It is noteworthy to mention that the increases registered in the month of November also reflect MIA’s enhanced winter schedule with 18 new connections for this season.

The announcement also noted that all the Company’s main markets registered growth albeit to varying degrees. It also noted that Belgium now forms part of the top five markets following the increased connectivity to Brussels. Furthermore, Spain registered an 87% upturn in November following the introduction of a twice-weekly flight to Valencia, increased operations to both Madrid and Barcelona as well as the extension of the Girona route into the winter season – all of which reflected the Company’s efforts to recover traffic from Spain.

January to November 2016

During the eleven-month period between January and November 2016, MIA registered an 8.7% increase in passenger movements to 4.75 million when compared to the same period last year. In July, MIA had revised upwards its passenger forecast for 2016 to +7.5% representing an estimated throughput of 4.97 million passengers.

However, following the strong performance in November, the Company is now aiming to exceed 5 million passenger movements.