Ryanair to add routes and increases flights to/from Malta this winter

Ryanair will be adding Krakow, Liverpool and Milan to its winter schedule, Malta representative L. Fernandez-Mellado said this morning. He told a news conference that the routes were already on the airline’s summer schedule. In winter, Ryanair will go to and from Krakow once weekly, Liverpool twice a week and Milan five times a week.

The airline will also be adding one weekly flight to Bristol, Edinburgh and Luton bringing its flights to these destinations up to three, two and five respectively. Mr Fernandez-Mellado said Ryanair currently operated 30 routes in summer and, with the new additions, it will have 20 routes in winter. These new winter flights are expected to produce a 28% growth in capacity. (Source: timesofmalta.com, 28-Jun-2013)

First ever German Navy P-3 Orion for Malta Int'l Airshow 2013

After the German Navy had already confirmed its participation in this year's Airshow with a Dornier 228MR coming from Marinefliegergeschwader 3 based at Nordholz, the same squadron will also participate with its other aircraft type for Maritime Surveillance and anti submarine warfare the P-3C Orion. The squadron has eight of these aircraft.

With a German Navy P-3C to add to our list of participants the organising committee of The Malta International Airshow is overwhelmed, since this aircraft in German Navy insignia will be participating in the Malta Airshow for the first time. (Source: maltairshow, 26-Jun-2013)

Italo-Maltese aero-naval exercise Canale 2013 starts on Sunday

Canale 2013, the bilateral Italo-Maltese aero-naval exercise is being held in Malta between Sunday, June 16, and Friday, June 21. 

The exercise, which is now in its 19th edition, aims to promote co-operation and peace in the Mediterranean region, with particular emphasis on strengthening the cooperation between the ‘5+5 Initiative’ partners. Exercise training activities will focus on maritime Search-and-Rescue, Maritime Law Enforcement, Explosive Ordinance Disposal (operations and Recognised Maritime Picture.

Canale 2013 is organised jointly by Armed Forces of Malta (Training Branch) and the Italian Joint Operational Headquarters. It is coordinated by the AFM Maritime Squadron and involves naval and air units deriving from Mediterranean countries forming part of the 5 + 5 process. Algeria, France, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia have accepted the invitation to take part with surface/air assets or personnel.

(Source: timesofmalta.com, 14-Jun-2013)

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

Passenger movements at Malta IAP grew by 9.8% during May 2013 reaching 377,948 passengers – which is yet another record for the month under review. This increase is predominantly driven by the increase of 9.7% in seat capacity. 

Aircraft movements registered an increase of 8.3%. The average seat load factor remained flat, with an increase of 0.1% over the same month last year. The increase in aircraft movements resulted also in an increase in the Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 9%, whilst cargo and mail registered a decrease of 13.7%.

Four of the five major markets registered growth during May 2013 when compared to the same month last year. The highest increase – 23% – was registered in the French market, followed by an increase of 14% in the Italian market, 3.5% in the Spanish market, and 1.9% from the U.K. The German market registered a decrease of 8.2%.

January – May 2013: Passenger traffic for the period between January and May 2013 registered an impressive increase of 9% over last year. Aircraft movements registered an increase of 5.3% when compared to the same period in 2012. Seat capacity was 7.2% more whilst the average seat load factor increased by 1.2%. In the same period, the MTOW increased by 6.3% whereas cargo and mail decreased by 3.2% over the same period in 2012. 

(Source: maltairport.com, 5-Jun-2013