Emirates to resume services to Libya via Malta on September 1

Emirates will restart passenger flights to Tripoli from September 1st 2013. Emirates’ three-weekly flights to Tripoli, served by a Boeing 777-200ER in a three-class configuration, will make a quick stop in Malta every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Under the new schedule, Emirates’ flight EK745 will leave Dubai at 0930lt arriving in Malta at 1325lt. The service will depart Malta 1445lt arriving in Tripoli at 1555lt. The return flight will leave Tripoli International Airport at 1725lt and will land in Dubai at 0100lt. (Source: breakingtravelnews.com, 29-May-2013)

Turkish Airlines launches Istanbul-Malta route

Turkish Airlines launched today its new route between Istanbul-Atatürk and Malta International Airport.

This first flight – operated with an Airbus A320, registration TC-JPF – touched down at Malta IAP around 1435lt and it was welcomed by a water arch by Malta IAP's fire engines on the taxiway leading to apron-9.

Turkish Airlines will be operating three weekly flights between Istanbul and Malta IAP this summer season, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

(25-May-2013)

Austrian Airlines F100 diverts to Malta IAP due to medical emergency

An Austrian Airlines Fokker 100 (OE-LVI), performing flight AUA892 from Tripoli-International (Libya) to Vienna-Schwechat (Austria), had to divert to Malta International Airport this afternoon after a boy on board the plane was taken ill.

Sources said the boy was being taken to the Austrian capital for treatment after a traffic accident in Libya. His condition suddenly deteriorated on the flight.
The boy was transferred to a waiting ambulance and rushed to Mater Dei Hospital.

The aircraft continued with its flight to Vienna after a 1.5 hours on the ground. (23-May-2013)

Austrian Airlines F100 diverts to Malta AIP due to low visibility at Tripoli

An Austrian Airlines Fokker 100 (OE-LVN), performing flight AUA891 from Vienna-Schwechat (Austria) to Tripoli-International (Libya), had to divert to Malta International Airport this afternoon due to low visibility at Tripoli airport because of a sand storm. The aircraft departed back to Vienna after a two hours technical stop. (22-May-2013)

Air Malta to launch Malta-Algiers route on June 17

Air Malta will start serving a new scheduled service to Algeria's capital, Algiers on June 17. There will be two weekly flights - on Mondays and Thursdays and Air Malta expected to carry 6,000 passengers on the route this summer. 

Commenting on this new service, Air Malta's chief commercial officer Philip Saunders said "this is good news for Malta and Algeria. Our flights will offer much needed connectivity and are expected to facilitate and enhance business opportunities between the two countries." (Source: timesofmalta.com, 17-May-2013)

Wizz Air launches Budapest-Malta route

Low cost-carrier Wizz Air launched today its new route between Budapest-Liszt Ferenc International and Malta International Airport.

This first flight – operated with an Airbus A320, registration HA-LPE – touched down at Malta IAP around 0855lt and it was welcomed by a water arch by Malta IAP's fire engines on the taxiway leading to apron-9.

Wizz Air will be operating two weekly flights between Budapest and Malta IAP this summer season, on Mondays and Thursdays.

(17-May-2013)

airBaltic launches Riga-Malta route

Latvian carrier airBaltic launched today its new route between Riga International Airport and Malta International Airport.

This first flight – operated with a Boeing B737-500, registration YL-BEE – touched down at Malta IAP around 1210lt and it was greeted by a water arch by Malta IAP's fire engines on the taxiway leading to apron-9.

airBaltic will be operating one weekly flight between Riga IAP and Malta IAP this summer season, on Sundays.

(12-May-2013)

Monarch Airlines kicks off East Midlands-Malta route

Monarch Airlines started off its East Midlands-Malta operation with the first flight – an Airbus A321 – touching down yesterday, Tuesday 7th May, at 2025hrs and welcomed by a water arch on the taxiway by the Malta Airport Fire & Rescue team.

Passengers were welcomed with flowers handed out by dancers in traditional Maltese costumes, courtesy of the Malta Tourism Authority. Malta airport also prepared a cake for the occasion, highlighting the airline's brand, the Maltese flag and the Union Jack. (Source: Monarch Airlines, 8-May-2013)

M.I.A. plc releases traffic results for April 2013

Passenger movements at Malta IAP grew by 8.9% during the month of April reaching 331,369, i.e. the highest number ever registered in April. This was brought about by an increase of 10.7% in the seat capacity for the month, which reached 440,430.

The average seat load factor registered a slight decrease of 1.3% when compared to April 2012, reaching 75.2%, whilst aircraft movements for the month were 9.4% more than those in the corresponding period last year. The Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) was 9.9% higher, whilst cargo and mail registered a decrease of 5.7% on that registered during the same month in 2012.

The U.K., Italian and Spanish markets all registered increases in April, with 3.6%, 13.8%, and 0.8% respectively, whereas the German market registered a decrease of 3.2% and the French market decreased by 0.7%.

January – April 2013: Between January and April, passenger movements increased by 8.7%, with aircraft movements registering an increase of 4.2% over the same first four months of 2012. The seat capacity increased by 6.3% whereas the average seat load factor increased by 1.7% over the same period in 2012. In the same period, the MTOW increased by 5.3% whereas Cargo and Mail was more or less the same with a decrease of 0.1% over the same period of 2012.

(Source: maltairport.com, 6-May-2013)