Italian Coast Guard M. Fiorillo in Valletta Port

The Italian Coast Guard offshore-patrol vessel Michele Fiorillo (CP 904) - a Diciotti class - has sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this evening on a brief visit. This is M. Fiorillo's fifth visit in Valletta Port this month.

Guardia Costiera M. Fiorillo is presently berthing alongside at Gun Wharf and she's scheduled to sail from the Grand Harbour on Monday, June 25th, at 1400LT.

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).

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register - update 14/6/2012

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

New addition/s: none 

Cancellation/s:

• 9H-LLC - Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express (c/n. 9098) registered to Carre Aviation Ltd.

Royal Navy HMS Atherstone & HMS Shoreham in Valletta Port

Two Royal Navy mine coutermeasure vessels HMS Atherstone (M 38) and HMS Shoreham (M 112) - a Hunt class and a Sandown class respectively - have sailed into Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) this late afternoon on a five-day courtesy visit.

The two British MCMVs are presently berthing alongside at Wine Wharf, and they're expected to sail from Malta on Wednesday, June 13th.

German Navy FGSs Gepard & Hermelin in Valletta Port

Two German Navy fast-attack crafts, FGS S71 Gepard (P 1621) and FGS S73 Hermelin (P 6123) - both Gepard class (type 143A) - have sailed into Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) this afternoon on a two-day courtesy visit.

The two German crafts are presently berthing alongside at Pinto-3 Wharf and are scheduled to sail from the Grand Harbour tomorrow, June 7th, at 1000LT.

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register - update 5/6/2012

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

New addition/s:

• 9H-UCM - TL-2000 Sting Carbon Microlight (c/n. 06-ST-185), registered to 'Private' 

Cancellation/s: none

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)

Portuguese Navy NRP Corte-Real in Valletta Port

The Portuguese Navy Vasco de Gama class (Type Meko-200) frigate NRP Corte-Real (F 332) has sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this evening on a four-day courtesy visit.

NRP Corte-Real is presently alongside at Pinto-4/5 Wharf, and she's scheduled to sail from the Grand Harbour on Monday, June 4th, at 1800LT.

French Navy FS L'Adroit in Valletta Port

The French Navy Gowing class offshore patrol vessel FS L'Adroit (P 725) has sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this evening on a four-day courtesy visit.

FS L'Ardroit is presently alongside at Pinto-3 Wharf, and she's scheduled to sail from the Grand Harbour on Monday, June 4th, at 1600LT.

German Navy FGS Berlin in Valletta Port

The German Navy Berlin class (Type 702) multi-product replenishment ship FGS Berlin (A 1411) has sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a four-day courtesy visit.

FGS Berlin is presently alongside at Deep Water Quay 1/2, and she's scheduled to sail from the Grand Harbour on Monday, June 4th, at 1000LT.