Malta International Airport reported a 32 per cent increase in profit after tax for the period 1 January to 30 June as compared to the same period last year.

The company’s interim financial statement was published last week.

The company reported a Lm7.9 million turnover for the period, nine per cent higher than the same period last year.

Passenger through-put during the same period increased by 5.8 per cent, aircraft movements by 8.8 per cent and cargo traffic by 4.5 per cent.

Staff costs have increased by 2.5 per cent to Lm1.8 million while operating costs increased by 3.4 per cent. Depreciation increased by nine per cent reflecting the increase in investment in the terminal building. There was also a nine per cent increase in finance costs reflecting the increase in local bank lending rate.

The company said this significant improvement in the results of the company is largely due to the increase in passenger and aircraft movements as well as increases in revenue from retail concessions outlets in the first half of the financial year.

The company is proposing a net interim dividend of Lm0.025 per share on all shares settled as at close of business last Friday.