Thomson Airways B763 diverts to Malta IAP

A Thomson Airways Boeing 767-300 (G-OOAN), performing flight TOM076 from London-Gatwick (U.K.) to Mombasa (Kenya), was forced to divert to Malta IAP early this morning, around 0220LT (0020z), after a heated argument developed between a young man and his girlfriend. The couple were taken into custody by the local police after the aircraft landed safely in Malta. The aircraft continued with its flight to Mombasa later in the evening, departing around 1845LT (1645z).

M.I.A. plc releases traffic results for May 2012

Passenger movements at Malta IAP grew by 5.8% during the month of May reaching 344,008 passengers – which is a record for the month under review. Aircraft movements and seat capacity also registered an increase on those registered during May 2011, with an increase of 2.2% and 2.7% respectively. The average seat load factor went up by 2.2% over the same month last year. The increase in aircraft movements resulted also in an increase in the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 3%, whilst cargo and mail registered a 3.8% increase.

All five major markets registered growth during May 2012 when compared to the same month last year. The highest increase – 18.7% – was registered in the Spanish market, followed by an increase of 6% in the German market, 5.8% in the French market, and 3.5% from the U.K.. The Italian market registered an increase of 2.3%.

January – May 2012. Passenger traffic for the period between January and May 2012 stands at the same level of last year, with a slight 0.4% decrease. The increases registered in April and May have countered the decrease registered in the first quarter of the year. Aircraft movements registered a decrease of 4.7% when compared to the same period in 2011. Seat capacity was 5.2% lower whilst the average seat load factor increased by 3.6%. In the same period, the MTOW decreased by 3.3% whereas cargo and mail increased by 4.7% over the same period in 2011. (Source: maltairport.com)