The winter season opened on excellent footing at Malta
International Airport, with November registering a staggering growth of 22.4%
over the same month last year.
This is by far the highest monthly increase for 2016,
going on to displace March’s 19% growth rate from the top spot. November’s
spurt augurs well for the key stakeholders in the industry’s stepped up
efforts, to ensure that the Maltese islands are an attractive, year-round
holiday destination.
This growth in passenger movements was recorded in
parallel with an upturn of 17% in aircraft movements and an increased seat
capacity of 21.3%. This increase partly stemmed from the airport’s enhanced
winter schedule, offering no less than 18 new connections for the season.
Airlines were also more efficient in filling up the
available seats, with November having registered a seat load factor (SLF) of
82.4%. In absolute terms, the airport gained more than 63,000 passengers over
the same month last year.
The airport’s top five markets all grew by varying
degrees and featured a newcomer. Belgium made an appearance in this list for
the first time, following increased connectivity to Brussels.
Outside of the top five markets, and in line with the
airport’s strategy to recoup traffic from the Iberian Peninsula, Spain
continued to grow at an impressive rate. The Spanish market’s 87% upturn
resulted from the introduction of a twice-weekly flight to Valencia, increased
operations to both Madrid and Barcelona, and Girona’s extension into the winter
period.
November’s results further enhance
Malta International Airport’s optimism for the winter period, as the airport
focuses on welcoming 5 million passengers before the year is through. (Source: maltairport, Dec-2016)