Malta Int'l Airport last year handled 2.92 million passengers, a drop of 6.1 percent compared to the previous year. In December alone passenger numbers grew by 6.5% when compared to December 2008. Passenger numbers had also risen, albeit slightly, in October and November after having declined in the earlier months of 2009.
Company CEO Julian Jaeger said at a press conference that seat capacity on the Malta routes last year was 4.2 million seats, a drop of 2.4% when compared to 2008.
The main markets last year remained the UK with 34.2% of market share, Italy 17.1% and Germany, 14.3%.
The top airlines were Air Malta (56% of passengers) followed by Ryanair (15%) and easyJet (5%).
There was a drop of 33% in charter traffic last year and a further drop is expected this year because of changes in passenger trends and increasing use of low cost airlines.
The CEO said that after the Christmas Day bombing attempt in Detroit, M.I.A. had looked at improving security, including a change in the procedures for passenger checks. M.I.A. was and remains within international security requirements.
When he spoke on commercial activities, Mr Jaeger said that following the recent extension of the terminal building, M.I.A. was now revamping the food court to give it a more Maltese feel.
Mr Jaeger said that M.I.A. is expecting growth of 2.8% this year over the 2009 figures.
(www.timesofmalta.com)
