Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday was surprised to find that when he thought he was being privileged, in that he exits from the VIP lounge any time he leaves Malta, he was in fact the unprivileged one – for he was missing out on the newly-furbished NMIA departure terminal with its new shops and facilities.

MIA yesterday unveiled a e25 million extension to its main passenger terminal, which includes a major expansion of commercial activities. The Nuance Group has opened a 970sq m walk-through store that doubles the space of its previous outlet. As well as the main walk-through store, Nuance also opened a 145sq m Spirit of Malta destination outlet.

Dr Gonzi said the inauguration of this extension shows Malta’s resilience even in times of crisis. “We are the smallest member state in the EU but we are still managing to invest in and upgrade our tourism facilities in these difficult times. This is a strong vote of confidence in the economic prosperity of our country. It also aids our plan to make Malta a hub for services within this region – and, with the input of shareholder Vienna International Airport, it shows the benefits of privatisation of the airport in 2002.”

MIA’s CEO Julian Jäeger added: “Our aim is to become the best airport in our class in the Mediterranean, and we rate very highly in Europe in that regard already. With this extension, we show our faith in the future of the airport and in the future of Malta.

Guests at yesterday’s inauguration followed the Prime Minister and Archbishop Paul Cremona all around the departure area, which is now completely refurbished with bigger outlets and comfortable sitting in the middle, as against the previous setting next to the gates. There are now additional outlets in the departure area but there are also new food and beverage outlets down at the food court, including a wine experience bar next to Pizza Hut.