Ryanair launches three new routes from or to Malta IAP

Ryanair launched today three 'new' routes from or to Malta IAP.

The Catania and Brussels routes were both launched from Malta IAP - both operated with Boeing B737-800 (EI-EVP). Malta-Catania flight departed from Malta IAP at 1340lt and returned back at 1524lt, while the Malta-Brussels flight departed from Malta IAP at 1658lt and returned back at 2257lt. 

On the other hand, the route from Vilnius, operated with Boeing B737-800 (EI-FOV), landed at Malta IAP at 1844lt and re-departed after turnaround at 1935lt.

This winter season, Ryanair will be offering the Catania and Brussels routes on a daily basis, while the Vilnius route only once weekly, on Sundays. (30-Oct-2016)

CAE Aviation SW4 crashes shortly after take-off from Malta IAP

A Fairchild SA227-AT Metroliner (N577MX) registered in the United States and leased to Luxembourg company CAE Aviation has crashed this morning shortly after taking-off from RWY 13 at Malta International Airport. The crash happened around 0720lt on the road (Triq l-Industrija, Kirkop) just outside the airport perimeter fence, very close to the spotter's wall.

Malta IAP's Fire and Rescue Services were quickly dispatched to crash scene to control the blazing aircraft full of fuel. These were soon joined by members from the Civil Protection Department, several ambulances and police oficers. The Police later reported that all five French people on board the aircraft were killed in the crash.

According to a press release by the Maltese Government's Deparment of Information, the flight was part of a French Customs surveillance operation which has been taking place for the past months, with the aim of tracing routes of illicit trafficking of all sorts, including human and drug trafficking. The said flight was registered with the Malta Air Traffic Services as a local flight and was to return to Malta within hours without landing in third countries. (Info from various sources / Photo: Edward Grech, 24-Oct-2016) (Video clip)

M.I.A. plc releases traffic results for September 2016

September became the third consecutive month to register more than half a million passenger movements this year with a total of 531,962 passengers welcomed at Malta IAP. This translates to an increase of 5.8% over the same month in 2015.

September's upturn was bolstered by improved connectivity to the Maltese islands throughout the summer. Seat capacity, which indicates the number of seats available to Malta, registered a 4.2% rise over last year. Moreover, at 87.5%, September’s seat load factor experienced a growth of 1.3%, indicating that airlines were very efficient in filling up these available seats.

Malta's top drivers of traffic remain the U.K., Italy, Germany, France and Spain, with all five markets registering varying degrees of growth ranging from 2% to 14%. The growth of the French market mainly stems from an increased capacity to one of France's major airports, Paris-Orly. Furthermore, September marks Spain's third consecutive appearance among Malta IAP's top five markets, following added flights on the Madrid route.

Although they did not secure a spot among the top five markets last month, both Poland and Switzerland experienced a remarkable hike in passenger movements compared to 2015, amounting to 36% and 14%, respectively.

Up until the Sep. 30th, Malta IAP hosted 3,894,040 passengers – a growth of 7.5% over last year. Aircraft movements grew by 2.4% while seat capacity increased by 5.3%. The seat load factor also rose to 83.4% compared to 81.7% last year. (Source: maltairport.com, Oct-2016)

Malta's Air X eyes U.S. charter flights

Air X has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for exemption authority as well as a Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP). The Maltese VIP charter specialist is seeking permission to operate charter flights ferrying persons, property and mail from any point or points behind any member state of the European Union, via any point or points in any member state and via intermediate points to any point or points in the United States and beyond. It intends to use "large aircraft" for its proposed services. (Source: ch-aviation.com, 4-Oct-2016)