Multiflight appoints Malta's Maleth-Aero to manage VIP B733

U.K. business aviation services provider Multiflight has appointed Malta-based operator Maleth-Aero to manage and operate its VIP-configured Boeing 737-300. The narrowbody airliner - registration 9H-MTF - can seat up to 60 passengers and carry up to 5t of baggage in the cargo hold, says the Leeds Bradford airport-headquartered company. "You can choose from a 48-seat VIP layout with 16 club-class seats and 32 rear-cabin seats, or 60 VIP seats throughout," it adds. (Source: flightglobal.com / Photo: Multiflight, 31-Jul-2013)

Armed Forces of Malta signs contract for an AW-139 plus two options

AgustaWestland announced that the Armed Forces of Malta has signed a contract for one intermediate twin AW-139 helicopter plus two options, to perform maritime border patrol and SAR missions. 

The plan foresees the acquisition of a total of three aircrafts by 2015 including an Integrated Logistic Support package and the training of ten pilots – including four ab-initio students – as well as 20 technicians. The first helicopter will be delivered within June 2014. 

The order is part of the ongoing plan to strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Malta, who benefit from the European Borders Fund Programme and who have been cooperating for decades, with excellent results, with the Italian Armed Forces. 

The AW-139 will be equipped with a state-of-the-art equipment package for maritime patrol and SAR missions that includes a high-definition FLIR system, search/weather radar, cabin mission console, naval transponder, search light, satellite communication system, a 4-axis autopilot with SAR modes, external rescue hoist and four bag floatation system. 

This state of the art intermediate twin-engine helicopter features the largest cabin in its category for greater mission flexibility and comfort. Litter layout options range from two to four in a medical evacuation configuration. 

Advanced technology and impressive one engine inoperative performance make the AW-139 the medium twin of choice for SAR duties. Two powerful PT6-67A turboshaft engines with FADEC minimise pilot workload and offer high power margins for maximum safety.

(Source: AgustaWestland, 19-Jul-2013)

Malta IAP to waive landing fees in winter for third consecutive year

For the third consecutive year, Malta Airport will once again be giving a 100% refund to all scheduled airlines on all their landing fees for the coming winter season (Nov 2013 – Mar 2014) with the aim to further stimulate traffic during the shoulder/winter months. 

This initiative forms part of Malta IAP’s Incentive Programme for airlines, aimed to attract airlines interested to start off their operations to Malta or looking at increasing their presence on the Maltese Islands. The Programme includes incentives such as the waiving of the night surcharge as well as free aircraft parking for scheduled passenger flights, both valid all year round. Another initiative included in the Incentive Programme is that aimed at increasing non-EU traffic. (Source: maltairport.com, 10-Jul-2013)

Wizz Air to keep Budapest route to Malta in winter season

Wizz Air said today that its new Budapest-Malta route which kicked off in May, will continue in winter. In its announcement, Wizz Air said that Malta flights to and from Hungary’s capital in winter will be on Saturdays. They are available for booking on wizzair.com with one-way fares starting from €29.99. (Source: timesofmalta.com, 5-Jul-2013)

M.I.A. plc releases traffic results for Jan-Jun 2013

Passenger traffic at Malta IAP for the first half of 2013 registered an increase of 9.2%, and reached a record 1,726,486 passenger movements. This increase was primarily due to the increase of 7.6% in seat capacity. One of the most remarkable points in these results is that notwithstanding the increase in seat capacity, the average seat load factor registered a further growth of 1%, reaching a record 75.1%.

Between January and June of this year, the number of aircraft movements increased by 5.9%, with the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) increasing by 6.7%, whereas cargo and mail decreased by 6.9% over the same period in 2012.

When looking at the top markets, the Italian market registered the highest growth for the first six months of 2013 with an increase of 16.9%. The French market followed with an increase of 14.6% and the U.K. market registered a 5.5% increase. The German and Spanish markets registered decreases of 2% and 8.5% respectively. 

June: Passenger movements at Malta IAP kept on sustaining the growth trend registered in previous months and grew by 9.7% reaching a record 411,851 passengers. Aircraft movements registered higher levels with an increase of 8.1% and seat capacity grew by 9.2%. The average seat load factor went up by 0.4% over the same month last year. In June, there was also an increase of 8% in the MTOW, whereas cargo and mail registered a staggering 22.5% increase.

(Source: maltairport.com, 4-Jul-2013)

Air Malta near miss in Swiss airspace

An Air Malta plane flying to Malta from Brussels was involved in a near-miss incident over Swiss airspace last Thursday, Times of Malta has learnt. The aircraft’s captain was forced to take evasive action after the Airbus’s Traffic Collision Avoidance System was triggered. Sources said the Air Malta aircraft and an unidentified aircraft were within roughly 500 feet of each other. KM421 had 157 passengers on board.

The Air Malta plane descended to avoid incident after the alarm was triggered off and Swiss air traffic control also alerted the captain about the potential danger. Sources said it was not yet known whether the case was triggered by a mistake by the other captain or whether an instruction by the Geneva ATC was misunderstood. Investigations were ongoing.

Air Malta confirmed the incident and said a report would be sent to the Geneva authorities. "The captain spoke to the passengers, explained what had happened and the flight continued to Malta without further incident," an airline spokesman said. (Source: timesofmalta.com, 3-Jul-2013)