USAF confirms participation at 2015 Malta International Airshow

After an absence of 3 years the United States Air Forces (USAF) in Europe plans to participate with a C-130J Super Hercules from the 86th Airlift Wing based in Ramstein, Germany. This year marks the 60th year the C-130 is in production and it is the oldest continuously produced family of military planes in history.  

The Malta Aviation Society is grateful for the USAFE participation in this year's edition of the Malta International Airshow and the assistance provided by the Defense Attache Office at the Embassy of the United States of America in Malta. (Source: maltairshow.com, 26-Jun-2015)

Middle East Airlines A332 diverts to Malta IAP due to medical emergency

An Middle East Airlines Airbus A330-200 (OD-MEB), performing flight ME-572 from Lagos (Nigeria) to Beirut (Lebanon), had to divert to Malta International Airport this evening (around 2020lt) due to a medical emergency on board. The A332 continued with its flight to Beirut after 2.5 hours technical stop. (23-Jun-2015)

Egytian AF confirms participation at 2015 Malta International Airshow

After the very successful visit last year for the first time ever, Egypt will be again participating with a K-8E light attack aircraft in the static display. The debut of the Egyptian contingent last year during our airshow to display the K-8E 'Karakorum' and also a C-130 Hercules was a milestone for the Malta Aviation Society.

The organising committee of the Malta International Airshow is very grateful to the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Egyptian Air Force for having chosen Malta to display the K-8E aircraft. (Source: maltairshow.com, 19-Jun-2015)

Italian Coast Guard O. Cavallari calls at AFM's Maritime Base

The Italian Coast Guard Cavallari-class patrol craft Oreste Cavallari (CP 401) has sailed into Marsamxett harbour this morning on a courtesy visit.

This is Oreste Cavallari's second port-call in Marsamxett harbour this year. Her first port-call was between the 9th and 11th June.

CP 401 is presently berthing alongside at Hay wharf (AFM's Maritime Base) and she's expected to sail from Malta in the coming days after a short stay. (13-Jun-2015)

U.K.'s Royal Navy confirms participation at 2015 Malta International Airshow

A Royal Navy Avenger T.1 is the first asset from the United Kingdom to confirm it's participation in the Malta International Airshow 2015. The King Air Avenger T.1 forms part of 750 Naval Air Squadron which trains Royal Navy Observers. It is part of the UK Military Flying Training System, and operates from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall. The Malta International Airshow organising team is grateful for the Royal Navy to be back in our island after an absence of three years. (Source: maltairshow.com, 12-Jun-2015)

M.I.A. plc releases traffic results for May 2015

Malta IAP registered an increase of 9.9% in passenger traffic over the same month last year, welcoming a record number of 441,943 passengers in May. This figure is higher than the passenger numbers registered in the August peak of 2011 (427,575 passengers), just under four years ago.

The airport’s busy summer schedule includes two new routes to Helsinki and Warsaw, five new airlines and a number of additional frequencies when compared to last year. In fact, aircraft movements and seat capacity both increased by 6.3% when compared to last year. Meanwhile, the percentage of filled seats on each flight increased from 76.4% to 79% in 2015.

In May, traffic from Germany rose significantly by 32.1% as a result of Cruise and Fly operations starting two months ahead of last year. Excellent results were also registered in Italy, with a growth of 15.4%.

The United Kingdom remains Malta’s largest tourism market, up by 1.5% when compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, the Netherlands joined May’s leading five markets, following a 15.4% increase on the Amsterdam route. Traffic to and from France dropped by 5.8% due to the reduction of the Toulouse route.

Between January and May this year, Malta International Airport saw an increase of 6.5% when compared to last year’s figures, hosting a total of 1,528,241 passengers so far. Meanwhile, the maximum take-off weight rose by 3.6% and cargo and mail decreased by 9.5%. (Source: maltairport.com, 4-Jun-2015)

Aegean Airlines launches flight operations to Malta IAP

The largest Greek airline Aegean Airlines has launched flight operations between Athens and Malta IAP today. The first scheduled flight, operated by Aegean's subsidiary Olympic Air with a Bombardier Dash 8-400 (SX-OBB), landed at Malta IAP around 1415lt. The aircraft was welcomed by a celebratory water arch from Malta IAP's fire and rescue team. Aegean Airlines will be operating three weekly flight between Athens and Malta IAP, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. (2-Jun-2015)