Comlux Malta Ltd. takes delivery of a new BD-700

Maltese registered company Comlux Malta Ltd. has taken delivery today of a new business jet from Bombardier Aerospace, a BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS with registration 9H-BGL.

Aircraft landed for the first time at Malta Int'l Airport at 1120LT.

Year built: 2009

Serial no.: 9348

Previous registration: C-FWGH (canx 30-Jul-2010)

A mobile-steps vehicle collides with and Air Malta aircraft at Malta IAP

Air Malta has launched an investigation after a vehicle carrying mobile steps collided with an aircraft on the apron yesterday afternoon, delaying at least four flights.

The incident took place at Malta Int'l Airport at 12.18 p.m. when the mobile steps were being driven towards the plane which had just arrived from Budapest (A319, 9H-AEH) and was scheduled to depart for Paris-Charles De Gaulle airport soon after.

A spokesman for the national airline said the incident caused a dent on the plane and delayed Air Malta's flights to Vienna, Gatwick, Kiev and Paris-Charles De Gaulle.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

M.I.A. plc profits rise to €3.5 million in first six months of 2010

Malta Int’l Airport plc’s profits for the first six months of 2010 were €3.6m up by 16.5% compared to the previous six-month period.

The interim financial results for M.I.A. were approved during a meeting of the company’s board of directors yesterday, and were published today in a company announcement on the Malta Stock Exchange.

The company explained that the improved financial profitability during the first six months of 2010 reflected “the substantial increase in passenger number” during that period.

The Board of Directors of M.I.A. had also approved a net interim dividend of €0.03 per share on all shares settled as at close of business on Monday 9 August 2010.

Passenger through-put during the first six-months of the 2010 financial year increased by 10.3%, the aircraft movements during the same period also increased by 7.9%, and cargo traffic for the January to June 2010 period went up by 7.3% when compared to the same period last year.

M.I.A. plc’s turnover for the period was €22.2m as against €20.6m for the January to June 2009 period, which was 7.9% higher than the turnover for the same period last year.

Revenue from aviation fees increased by €1.5m due to the increased number of passengers. There were also increases in non aviation revenues of €156,200 mainly from increased revenue from rental of property, car parking and recharges.

Staff costs had increased marginally during the first six months of the year from €4.5 in 2009 to €4.7m in 2010, an increase of 4.2%. Other operating costs went up from €8m in the first six months of 2009 to €8.5m in the first six months of 2010, an increase of 6.6%. M.I.A. explained this increase was "mainly due to increases in the electricity consumption due to the introduction of higher rates."

The depreciation charge for the first six-months of the year decreased marginally from €2.7m in 2009 to €2.6m in 2010, a decrease of 2.3%.

On 1 June 2010 the nominal value of the Issued Share Capital of M.I.A. plc was increased from €0.47 to €0.50 by capitalisation of €2.3m from retained earnings.

The Issued Share Capital of the company was therefore increased from €31.5m to €33.8m.

On the same date, M.I.A. plc also executed a 2:1 share split whereby each share of a nominal value of €0.50 was divided into two shares of €0.25 each.

The total Issued Share Capital of the Company was therefore increased from 67,650,000 to 135,300,000 shares.

www.maltatoday.com.mt

Air Malta to launch Milan-Linate service in its winter schedule

Air Malta is to launch a direct service to Milan's Linate airport in its winter schedule, while maintaining its service to the other Milan airport, Malpensa.

The airline will fly to Linate on Saturdays (dep Malta 8.55 a.m. and departure Linate at 11 a.m.) and on Sundays (dep Malta 2.30 p.m. and departure Linate 6.25 p.m.).

Passenger flows from the Northern Italian city have been increasing, as has been airline capacity. Links between Malta and Milan are operated by Air Malta, Alitalia and Easyjet

(www.timesofmalta.com)

Privilege Style launches seasonal flts between Lisbon and Malta

Privilege Style has launched this evening its 'summer' seasonal flights on schedule between Lisbon (Portugal) and Malta Int'l Airport.

This first flight was operated with a Boeing B757-200, registration EC-ISY - departed from Malta Int'l Airport to Madrid-Barajas as a ferry flight.

Privilege Style will be operating a single flight between Lisbon and Malta, on Fridays, up to September 3rd, 2010.

Air Malta, Austrian Airlines sign codeshare agreement

Air Malta has entered into a codeshare agreement with Austrian Airlines, another member of the Star Alliance Group.

Through this agreement, Austrian Airlines will start using its code on flights operated by Air Malta between Malta and Vienna (six flights per week, one daily, except on Tuesdays) while the Maltese airline will use its code on Austrian Airlines connecting flights to/from Budapest (Hungary), Gothenburg (Sweden), Helsinki (Finland) and Sofia (Bulgaria). Other routes may be added in future.

The schedule of flights of both airlines has been harmonised to connect perfectly with each other at Vienna Airport. This will help passengers save time on their journey.

Upon signing the agreement, Christina Debbah, vice-president Global Sales & Distribution said: "We are very pleased about the cooperation with Air Malta. Together, we can offer our passengers a strong product. The Austrian hub of Vienna is Europe’s fastest transfer airport, and we fly from Vienna to 105 European destinations."

Brock Friesen, chief officer commercial of Air Malta said: "Through this agreement, we are offering our clients seamless travel connection to destinations in Northern Europe.

"We are pleased that with this partnership we are offering both leisure and business customers access to a strong route network and growing range of destinations in Northern and Eastern Europe.

"Air Malta is continuing to enhance its codeshare list of partners with quality airlines to increase and improve its destination network."

Codeshare agreements are increasing Air Malta’s marketing reach and providing additional connectivity and tourism opportunities to and out of Malta whilst developing new catchment areas for inbound tourism.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

New aviation services company launched in Malta

Malta-based Sky People Aviation Training Ltd. said today that it has launched several packages for pilot training in Malta.

Sky People offers a vast range of services which include a variety of packages for pilot training, as well as trial flights and aircraft rental. All the modules offered are directed by qualified instructors, using the latest technology whilst simultaneously ensuring maximum safety.

The new company’s pledge was to offer "the highest standards in aviation training guidance at the most competitive prices on the island". All the courses available were developed with the student’s particular needs in mind, and no matter what one’s career goals were, Sky People has a plan to chart the way to success.

Sky People Aviation Training Ltd has invested in a brand new aircraft; a Tecnam P2002JF. The two-seater side by side, low wing aircraft was flown to Malta direct from Tecnam’s Napoli factory on July 2nd, 2010.

The aircraft, with Maltese registration 9H-SKY, features good performance and flying qualities. The ease of piloting made this aircraft "an excellent solution for pilot training since it offers state of the art technology teamed with enhanced safety".

The company explained how the new aircraft was certified according to the European Aviation Safety Agency as well as The Malta Civil Aviation Directorate.

(www.maltatoday.com.mt)

HMS St Albans in Valletta Port on a courtesy visit

The Royal naval vessel HMS St Albans (F 83) - a Duke Class (Type 23) Frigate - has arrived this morning in Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) on a courtesy visit.

HMS St Albans, the 16th and final ship of the Royal Navy's Type-23 frigates, is returning home after an operational deployment promoting regional maritime security in the Arabian Gulf. She was also part of an international combined task force which conducted counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.

The British frigate has currently embarked a Merlin HM.1 helicopter, ZH848/503.

HMS St Albans is currently alongside at Pinto-3 Wharf. She is scheduled to sail from Malta on Thursday, July 22nd, at 1000LT.

AFM rescues four from a sinking cabin cruiser

Three men and a boy were rescued from a sinking cabin cruiser which hit a fisherman's cage last night.

The AFM said the emergency developed off the Munxar reef fish farm half a mile from Il-Hoffriet and involved the 30-foot cabin cruiser Zgicca.

The boat issued a distress signal, saying it was taking in water. The Austal-class inshore patrol boat P-24 and the Vittoria-class rescue-launch Melita-2, were immediately dispatched to the location and rescued the men, who were brought to shore this morning.

The cabin cruiser was salvaged.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

AFM helicopter flies boater to hospital

A 32-year old man from Marsascala was urgently evacuated by an AFM Alouette rescue-helicopter, when he developed severe stomach pains when out at sea with a friend on their 16-foot boat, the AFM said this morning.

C. Magro was on a local boat trip yesterday afternoon in a position just off Wied iz-Zurrieq, heading towards Marsaxlokk when he felt excruciating pains in his stomach, that sent pain up through his chest.

The Armed forces of Malta received a distress call at around 3 p.m. and the AFM's Vittoria-class Search-and-Rescue launch Melita-2 was dispatched to the scene to render assistance. An Air Wing Alouette rescue-helicopter was scrambled and both AFM rescue assets met the boaters in a position just off Wied ix-Xaqqa's bay.

An Air Wing rescue-swimmer was dropped into the water to the aid of the ailing boater, who was first transferred onto the Melita-2 rescue-launch, and subsequently winch-hoisted onboard the AFM Alouette helicopter, which conveyed him to Mater Dei Hospital for further treatment.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

Maltese, Libyan boats share rescued migrants

Maltese and Libyan patrol boats shared out 55 migrants found on a dinghy some 44 miles south of Malta yesterday.

28 migrants, including a baby, were brought to Malta at 4 a.m. this morning by AFM patrol boat P-52 while another 27 were taken from the sinking dinghy to a Libyan vessel which intercepted the migrants at the same time as the Maltese patrol craft.

The migrants brought to Malta were 22 men, five women and the baby. The baby along with the mother were taken to Mater Dei Hospital.

The AFM said the boat was heading North and taking in water when its Rescue and Coordination Centre (RCC) received a distress call yesterday morning.

RCC Malta managed to get in touch with the illegal immigrants onboard their boat, in an effort to assess their situation. By yesterday afternoon, an AFM Islander aircraft located the illegal migrants who were on a large rubber dinghy.

Concurrent to these rescue efforts, Libyan authorities also dispatched a launch to assist the illegal immigrants. Subsequently, both P-52 and a Libyan rescue-launch reached the rubber-dinghy. 28 migrants were then transferred to the Maltese patrol and 27 to the Libyan launch.

(www.timeofmalta.com)

M.I.A. plc releases traffic results for June 2010

Malta Int'l Airport has registered an increase of 19.3% during the month of June 2010, reaching 331,345 passenger movements. This is equivalent to an increase of 53,512 passenger movements over June 2009.

The results for the first six months of the year in terms of passenger movements therefore show an increase of 10.3% when compared to the same period last year, reaching 1,380,828 passenger movements. This was mainly brought about by a substantial increase in seat capacity, equivalent to 8.5%, coupled with the strengthening of the average seat load factor.

Flight movements and seat capacity for the month of June increased by 14.8% and 17.3% respectively over June 2009, primarily due to the new routes that were launched this year. Concurrently, the average seat load factor rose by 1.1% over the corresponding period. The maximum take-off weight for June was 14.5% higher than last year, whilst cargo dropped by 5.9% when compared to the same period in 2009.

The core markets all registered significant increases in June with Spain, Italy and France growing by an outstanding 138%, 40% and 39% respectively, whilst the United Kingdom and Germany grew by a more modest 7% and 5%. Likewise, the three top destinations also registered positive results with London-Gatwick, Rome-Fiumicino and Manchester growing by 1.7%, 51% and 1.7%. On the other hand London-Heathrow and Frankfurt decreased marginally by 2.6% and 0.5% respectively.

Forecast 2010

In view of the positive results achieved during the first six months of the year, Malta Int'l Airport expects passenger movements to reach 3.15 million in 2010, an estimated increase of 8% over 2009.

(www.maltairport.com)

FS Montcalm in Valletta Port on a courtesy visit

The French naval vessel FS Montcalm (D 642) - a Georges Leygues Class (Type F70) Frigate - has arrived this morning in Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) on a courtesy visit.

The French frigate has currently embarked a Westland Lynx HAS.4(FN) helicopter, serial 802.

FS Montcalm is currently alongside at Pinto-4 Wharf and she is scheduled to sail from Malta this Friday, June 16th, at 0730LT.

12 AFM soldiers return after anti-piracy mission

12 Maltese soldiers had an emotional reunion with their families after the Dutch warship they served on for three months, the Johan de Witt, returned to Malta after successfully completing Malta’s first military deployment under the E.U. Common Security Defence Policy.

The 12 men, sourced from the Armed Forces of Malta’s 1st Regiment C Company, formed a Vessel Protection Detachment onboard the warship, which served in the E.U. Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR) Operation Atalanta.

The operation’s main tasks are escorting vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program and vessels of the African Union Mission in Somalia, as well as protecting vulnerable ships off the Somali coasts and deterring and disrupting piracy.

The Johan de Witt, a landing platform dock ship equipped with smaller boats and landing craft and which includes a hospital, commenced its service in EU NAVFOR on April 17th and left the theatre of operations on June 29th. It is heading back to its home port of Den Helder.

In his address, Captain Ben Bekkering congratulated the Maltese soldiers, stating that they not only returned home safely, but also "proudly and rightly so".

He noted that they had been considered fellow shipmates at work and at play, including when following the World Cup – joking that the Maltese "picked the wrong team to support".

The 12 soldiers were also congratulated by their commander, Brig. Martin Xuereb, who noted that Maltese participation in such operations was one of the AFM’s goals for years, and that the soldiers’ efforts started months before they embarked the Johan de Witt on April 4th, with an intensive training programme.

The team also received a formal award from the government of the Netherlands, with each soldier receiving a commemoration medal. As with all military events, the affair was formal, with the Maltese soldiers and the Dutch crew standing sternly as they were thanked for their efforts.

However, all formalities disappeared once they were dismissed, with soldiers rushing to embrace the families they hadn’t seen for months, and with the Dutch crewmen bidding a warm farewell to their former shipmates.

One of the soldiers, Bombardier R. Eddleston, told www.di-ve.com that the experience was a positive one, particularly since they were lucky enough to have intercepted pirates themselves, but also because he made new friends.

He said he hoped he would serve in similar missions abroad in the future, even though he missed his family back home and was glad to be reunited.

(www.di-ve.com)

HNLMS Johan de Witt in Valletta Port on a courtesy visit

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An air ambulance service based in Malta has been launched by Medilink

An air ambulance service based in Malta has been launched by Medilink, a Maltese company with Tunisian partners.

The service will offer high quality medical emergency services to clients from north Africa to southern Europe, CEO Simon Camilleri said.

It will provide an air link with the medical facilities found in an ambulance, intensive care and an accident and emergency department.

Mr Camilleri said the plane, which has already airlifted a patient from north Africa in the past days, is a Beech 2000 Super King Air. It is ideal for medium to short distance flights, and has access to most of Europe.

A group of 24 Maltese doctors and nurses were rigorously trained on how to operate and provide medical services on board the plane.

Launching the service, Prime Minister L. Gonzi said that the air ambulance offered a quick efficient service that would save peoples’ lives.

(www.timesofmalta.com)