Ryanair launches new route between Athens and Malta IAP

Ryanair launched today its new route between Athens (Greece) and Malta IAP. The first scheduled flight, operated with Boeing B737-800 (EI-EBK), landed at Malta IAP (FR-6028) at 0723lt. The return flight to Athens (FR-6029) departed from Malta IAP at 0810lt. Ryanair will be operating this route three times weekly. (31-Mar-2016)

easyJet Switzerland launches new route between Geneva and Malta IAP

easyJet Switzerland launched today its new route between Geneva (Switzerland) and Malta IAP. The first scheduled flight, operated with Airbus A319-100 (HB-JYF), landed at Malta IAP (EZS-1495) at 0822lt. The return flight to Geneva (EZS-1496) departed from Malta IAP at 0915lt. easyJet Switzerland will be operating this route twice weekly. (29-Mar-2016)

VistaJet to shift HQ to Malta

European business aviation specialist VistaJet has announced plans to move its corporate headquarters from Baar, Switzerland to Malta, as it prepares for the next phase of its growth. 

Having opened an operations centre on the island in 2013, the firm says this move will see its operations, finance and European customer service teams being brought together under one roof thus increasing efficiency and interaction.  

"Centralizing our European business functions and moving our Global Group Headquarters to Malta will enable the Company to thrive and deliver even more efficiency for our global customer base," founder and chairman Thomas Flohr said to mark the event. (Source: ch-aviation.com, 26-Mar-2016)

French Navy FS Enseigne de vaisseau Jacoubet calls at Valletta Port

The French Navy D'Estienne d'Orves-class corvette FS Enseigne de vaisseau Jacoubet (F 794) sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit.

The French corvette is presently berthing alongside at Deep Water Quay-4 and she's expected to sail from Valletta Port in the coming days. (26-Mar-2016)

Volotea launches new route between Catania-Fontanarossa and Malta IAP

Volotea launched today its new route between Catania-Fontanarossa (Sicily, Italy) and Malta IAP. The first scheduled flight, operated with Boeing B717-200 (EI-FCU), landed at Malta IAP (V7-1772) at 2001lt. The return flight to Catania (V7-1773) departed from Malta IAP at 2056lt. Volotea will be operating the route three weekly flight between the two airports. (24-Mar-2016)

German Navy FGS Ludwigshafen am Rhein recalls at Valletta Port

The German Navy Braunschweig-class corvette FGS Ludwigshafen am Rhein (F 264) sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit. This is her third visit in Valletta Port this year.

The German corvette is currently deployed in the Mediterranean and assigned to E.U. Naval Force Mediterranean (Operation Sofia). 

FGS Ludwigshafen am Rhein is presently berthing alongside at Boiler wharf, and she's expected to sail from the Grand Harbour in the coming days. (22-Mar-2016)

Royal Navy HMS Enterprise calls at Valletta Port

The Royal Navy Echo-class survery vessel HMS Enterprise (H 88) sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit. 

The British survey vessel is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-3 wharf, and she's expected to sail from the Grand Habour in the coming days. (22-Mar-2016)

Ryanair launches new route between Budapest and Malta IAP

Ryanair launched today its new route between Budapest (Hungary) and Malta IAP. The first scheduled flight, operated with Boeing B737-800 (EI-DPM), landed at Malta IAP (FR-2277) at 1416lt. The return flight to Budapest (FR-2278) departed from Malta IAP at 1510lt. Ryanair will be operating this route twice weekly. (19-Mar-2016)

Ryanair launches new route between Malta IAP and Cologne/Bonn

Ryanair launched today its new route between Malta IAP and Cologne/Bonn (Germany). The first scheduled flight, operated with Boeing B737-800 (EI-DWE), departed from Malta IAP (FR-5206) at 0821lt. The return flight from Cologne/Bonn (FR-5205) landed at Malta IAP at 1424lt. Ryanair will be operating this route twice-weekly. (19-Mar-2016)

Ryanair launches new route between Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden and Malta IAP

Ryanair launched today its new route between Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (Germany) and Malta IAP. The first scheduled flight, operated with Boeing B737-800 (EI-FIL), landed at Malta IAP (FR-5194) at 0854lt. The return flight to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FR-5195) departed from Malta IAP at 0934lt. Ryanair will be operating this route twice weekly. (19-Mar-2016)

Ryanair launches new route between Manchester and Malta IAP

Ryanair launched today its new route between Manchester (U.K.) and Malta IAP. The first scheduled flight, operated with Boeing B737-800 (EI-EBA), landed at Malta IAP (FR-5211) at 1826lt. The return flight to Manchester (FR-5210) departed from Malta IAP at 1918lt. Ryanair will be operating this route three-times weekly. (18-Mar-2016)

Ryanair launches new route between Malta IAP and Poznan

Ryanair launched today its new route between Malta IAP and Poznan (Poland). The first scheduled flight, operated with Boeing B737-800 (EI-DLD), departed from Malta IAP (FR-5226) at 0738lt. The return flight from Poznan (FR-5227) landed at Malta IAP at 1341lt. Ryanair will be operating this route twice-weekly. (18-Mar-2016)

Ryanair launches new route between Malta IAP and Gdansk

Ryanair launched today its new route between Malta IAP and Gdansk (Poland). The first scheduled flight, operated with Boeing B737-800 (EI-DWE), departed from Malta IAP (FR-5207) at 0759lt. The return flight from Gdansk (FR-5208) landed at Malta IAP at 1431lt. Ryanair will be operating this route twice-weekly. (17-Mar-2016)

German Navy FGS Frankfurt am Main calls at Valletta Port

The German Navy Berlin-class multi-product replenishment tanker FGS Frankfurt am Main (A 1412) has sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit.

The German auxiliary is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-4/5 wharf, and she's scheduled to sail from Malta in the coming days. (17-Mar-2016)

U.K. Border Force HMC Protector calls at Valletta Port

The United Kingdom's Border Force cutter HMC Protector sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit. 

The British cutter is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-3 wharf, and she's expected to sail from Malta in the coming days. (14-Mar-2016)

German Navy FGS Ludwigshafen am Rhein recalls at Valletta Port

The German Navy Braunschweig-class corvette FGS Ludwigshafen am Rhein (F 264) sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit. This is her second visit in Valletta Port this year.

The German corvette is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-5 wharf, and she's expected to sail from Malta in the coming days. (14-Mar-2016)

First aircraft confirmed for 2016 Malta International Airshow

The first aircraft to confirm participation for the Malta International Airshow 2016 edition is the Royal Navy Avenger T.1 aircraft that will be exhibiting on static display. 

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 Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall.

The Malta International Airshow organising team is grateful for the Royal Navy to be back in our island reassuring the great ties between the United Kingdom and Malta.

The 2016 edition will be held on September 24th and 25th. (Source: maltairshow.com, 11-Mar-2016)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register update

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

New addition/s: 

• 9H-VJR - Bombardier Global 6000 (c/n. 9703), registered to VistaJet Ltd. (ex C-FIEZ)

Cancellation/s: none

(Source: Transport Malta, 7-Mar-2016)

Spanish Navy ESPS Alerta calls at Valletta Port

The Spanish Navy auxiliary ESPS Alerta (A 111) has sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit.

The Spanish auxiliary is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-4/5 wharf, and she's expected to sail from Malta in the coming days. (7-Mar-2016)

Turkish Navy TCG Dolunay calls at Valletta Port

The Turkish Navy Atilay-class submarine TCG Dolunay (S 352) sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit. 

The Turkish submarine is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-5 wharf, and she's expected to sail from Malta in the coming days. (7-Mar-2016)

Air Malta flight diverts to Paris-Orly after medical emergency

An Air Malta Airbus A320-200 (9H-AEM), operating flight KM-146 from Malta IAP to Manchester (U.K) was forced to divert to Paris-Orly this afternoon after a passenger fell ill. An Air Malta spokesman confirmed that flight KM-146 was forced to land at Orly airport after a male foreign passenger passed out midway through the flight. An ambulance rushed the passenger to hospital. The aircraft then continued with its flight to Manchester reaching destination with a delay of one hour. (5-Mar-2016) 

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register update

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

New addition/s: 

• 9H-CFL - Learjet 40 (c/n. 45-2024), registered to Leader srl, ItalY (ex I-YLFC)
• 9H-GTC - Boeing B737-400 (c/n. 27001/2316), registered to Aerotron Ireland Ltd., Ireland (ex OM-GTC) 
• 9H-HAM - Dassault Falcon 2000EX (c/n. 245), registered to Avcon Jet Malta Ltd. (ex OE-HAM)
• 9H-YES - Boeing B737-500 (c/n. 25167/2173), registered to Air X Charter Ltd. (ex N167EL)

Cancellation/s: 

• 9H-AFQ - Bombardier Challenger 605 (c/n. 5709), registered to Comlux Malta Ltd. (rrg N87878)
• 9H-JET - IAI Gulfstream G150 (c/n. 283), registered to Europ-Star Ltd

(Source: Transport Malta, 3-Mar-2016)

Malta IAP releases traffic results for February 2016

Malta International Airport welcomed 236,631 passengers last month, which translates to a growth of 13.3%. 

Last month’s growth partly stems from February’s leap day, which resulted in an additional 8,421 passengers passing through the airport. If the extra day in February was eliminated, the month would have been closed with a 9.2% growth over the same month last year.
 
The rise in passenger numbers can be attributed to a seat capacity increase of 5.2%, with airlines registering further efficiency in filling up the additional seats on the market.
 
The airport’s top three markets remained unchanged from January, with the United Kingdom occupying the top spot followed by Italy and Germany. Traffic from Italy increased by a noteworthy 20.6%, as a result of added flights to Rome’s Fiumicino and Ciampino airports.
 
Among the top five markets, Turkey registered the most impressive growth rate with 41.7%, surpassing the growth it had registered back in January.
 
Meanwhile, a decrease was noted in both the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and cargo and mail by 0.8% and 7.0% respectively. (Source: maltairport.com, 4-Mar-2016)

Air Malta to switch Moscow airports in June

Air Malta has announced plans to switch its Moscow operations from Moscow-Domodedovo to Moscow-Sheremetyevo starting Jun. 3rd. The Maltese national carrier currently operates a twice weekly service from Malta to Domodedovo using a mix of A319s and A320s. It will continue to serve Sheremetyevo twice weekly from Jun. 3rd with the last service from Domodedovo to Malta scheduled for May 29 as of now. (Source: ch-aviation.com, 1-Mar-2016)

Malta IAP ranks second in the Best Airport by Region in 2015 ASQ Awards.

Malta International Airport has ranked second in the Best Airport by Region (over 2 million passengers per year) category, according to the 2015 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards.

Airports Council International (ACI) today announced the winners of the 2015 ASQ Awards amongst the 97 European airports surveyed. Malta International Airport lornshares its achievement with Dublin (25 million passengers/year), Prague (12m pax) and Zurich (26m pax).

"This is the ultimate reward for our airport team, being recognised for our commitment to service excellence. These awards encourage us to aim even higher and to realize our vision of becoming the best airport in Europe," said CEO A. Borg.

"In order to achieve our goal, we will continue to invest in our people and in a well-designed and efficient airport. Our Terminal Expansion scheduled to commence towards the end of this year will certainly position us one step closer to reaching number one. While accepting this award with pride, I would like to dedicate it to the airport team in its entirety, from our ground handling teams to our immigration officers, security guards to airline representatives – this award is for all of us." (Source: maltairport.com, 29-Feb-2016)