Passenger causes disturbance on Air Malta aircraft

An Air Malta flight from London-Heathrow had to return to the terminal this afternoon following a disturbance by a passenger.

The man got to his knees and started chanting, apparently in Arabic, and ignored instructions by the purser to return to his seat.

According to reports there was a 'panic' among some passengers. The aircraft returned to its terminal slot.

It had been taxing and preparing for take-off at the time of the incident.

The passengers were disembarked for security procedures and the British police arrested the man who had caused the disturbance.

The flight, which had already been delayed by bad weather, is due to arrive in Malta just before 10 p.m.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

Afriqiyah Airways A320 diverts to Malta IAP

An Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320 (5A-ONB) on the return scheduled flight (AAW953) between Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Tripoli (Libya) had to divert to Malta IAP this afternoon for an emergency landing after the crew had to shut down engine #1.

The aircraft landed safely on RWY13 at 1659LT with the airport emergency services on standby on the nearby taxiways.

A replacement aircraft, an Airbus A320 (5A-ONA), was sent by Afiqiyah Airways later in the evening to pick up the stranded pax of the diverted aircraft.

The diverted aircraft is still at Malta IAP at the attention of the engineers.

Ryanair launches flt ops between Malta and Birmingham, U.K.

Ryanair has launched this morning flight operations on schedule between Malta Int'l Airport and Birmingham (BHX) in the United Kingdom.

First flight: Malta-Birmingham (RYR1299) opw B738 EI-EKG; Birmingham-Malta (RYR1298) opw B738 EI-EML.

Ryanair will be operating this service twice weekly, on Mondays and Wednesdays.

A former RAF Canberra returns to Malta on a ship

A former Royal Air Force Canberra bomber and reconnaissance aircraft has returned to Malta on a ship.

Canberras were a regular sight at RAF Luqa from the 1950s right through to 1979 when the British base was closed. An example also featured at the Malta Int'l Air Show before all types were withdrawn in 2006.

Malta Air Traffic Services bought this model from a private collector. Once re-assembled, it will be displayed close to the Control Tower at the airport, not far from where Canberras used to be parked in rows on the airport apron.

The aircraft unloaded at Malta Freeport used to carry the serial number WT483 and last saw service as a trainer 25 years ago. It was then parked at Long Marston Proving Grounds before being dismantled to be brought to Malta.

The Canberra will be transferred to the Aviation Museum at Ta' Qali once space becomes available with the building of a new hanger.

The Canberra - a twin-engined jet - entered service in 1951 and for years was one of the best bombers in the world - Britain even sold some Canberras to the U.S. The aircraft served for more than half a century, even seeing service in the first Gulf War and Afghanistan.

Ironically, in the first years of aviation, most of the first aircraft to be based in Malta also used to be shipped to Kalafrana, where they were assembled and towed to Hal Far airfield.

(www.timesofmalta.com)

HMS Montrose in Valletta Port on a courtesy visit

The Royal naval vessel HMS Montrose (F 236) - a Duke Class (Type 23) Frigate - has arrived this morning in Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) on a five-day courtesy visit.

The British frigate has currently embarked one Lynx HMA.8SRU helicopter, serial XZ723/444.

HMS Montrose is currently alongside at Pinto-4/5 Wharf and she's expected to sail from Malta on Monday, December 13th, at 0900LT.

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

Passenger movements at Malta Int'l Airport in November reached 202,718, i.e. the highest number ever registered in November. The increase in passenger movements, when compared to the same month last year, is equivalent to an increase of 12.5%. Seat capacity in the same month was of 295,258, i.e. an increase of 11.8% over November 2009. Also during this month, MIA reached its 3 millionth passenger movement for the year.

In November, aircraft movements grew by 11.7% over the corresponding period last year, whilst the average seat load factor was also on the increase, reaching 68.7% - up from the 68.2% registered in November 2009. The maximum take-off weight (MTOW) grew by 9.7% reaching 155,680 tonnes, whilst cargo and mail was 21.3% lower than that recorded during the same month in 2009.

The Spanish, Italian and French markets once again grew remarkably in November, by 52.9%, 30.9% and 23.0% respectively, whereas Germany grew by a more modest 2.7%. The U.K. was the only main market to register a drop, albeit of a modest 1%.

The results for the first eleven months of the year, in terms of passenger movements, therefore show an increase of 13% when compared to the same period last year, totalling 3,118,897 passenger movements. This positive result was mainly brought about by the strong increase in seat capacity, which was 10.5% higher than that recorded in 2009, coupled with the fact that the average seat load factor was 1.5% higher than that registered during the same period last year.

(www.maltairport.com)

FGS S80 Hyane in Valletta Port on a courtesy visit

The German naval vessel FGS S80 Hyane (P 6130) - a Gepard Class (Type 143A) fast-attack craft - has arrived this afternoon in Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) on a two-day courtesy visit.

FGS S80 Hyane is expected to sail from Malta tomorrow Monday, December 6th, at 1000lt.

TM/DCA publishes the latest edition of the Maltese National Aircraft Register

Transport Malta / Directorate of Civil Aviation has published today the latest edition of the Maltese National Aircraft Register.

New addition/s*:

• 9H-AFS - Fokker F28-0070 (Gladiator Leasing Ltd.)
• 9H-ALX - Airbus A319-115 CJ (Comlux Malta Ltd.)
• 9H-OVB - Bombardier BD-700 Global 5000 (Comlux Malta Ltd.)
• 9H-PGH - Rotoway Int'l A-600N Talon (Private)
• 9H-RAF - Morris Motors DH-82A Tiger Moth (Malta Aviation Museum Foundation)
• 9H-UZZ - Tecnam P92 Echo (Private)
  

Cancellation/s*:

• 9H-AEI - Airbus A320-214 (Air Malta), re-registered as XA-SOB (InterJet)

* since last register update of September 17, 2010.