Malta International Airport last week announced that 6.77 million passengers are expected to pass through the terminal by the end of the year. This translates into an increase of 13% over 2017.
Traffic for the first half of the year grew by 16.3%, surpassing initial projections and prompting the company to revise its original forecast.
Addressing a press conference, during which this mid-year forecast was presented, Malta Airport CEO Alan Borg noted that indications show that 2018 will go down on record as the airport's eighth year of uninterrupted traffic growth.
"The upward trend in passenger movements observed over the past years stems from our efforts to secure the best connections for Malta. While we are now operating with our 100-destination summer schedule, with 16 routes extended into winter and increased capacity on a number of other routes, the outlook for the upcoming season remains positive," said Borg, while stressing that year-round tourism is a key common objective for all industry stakeholders.
He went on to make reference to the Airport Industry Connectivity Report issued by Airports Council International, which shows Malta leading the way among its peers with a 219% growth in connectivity registered over a 10-year span.
The company will soon set into motion plans for the development of a new aircraft parking area. This multimillion euro investment will see the biggest development of operational areas since the company's privatisation - a project which was made possible thanks to the Government of Malta, the Ministry for Tourism and all the involved stakeholders who are supporting the airport's growth plans.
The new apron will cater for a growing demand by commercial airlines wishing to start or increase operations to Malta, by accommodating up to seven Code C aircraft, which currently make up 98% of the airport's schedule, the likes of which are operated by airlines such as Air Malta, Ryanair and Easyjet.
Minister for Tourism Konrad Mizzi welcomed the significant increase in passengers at MIA and said that government will continue to work with MIA to improve connectivity. The increase in direct routes is opening new tourism and business markets. Minister Mizzi also said that government will continue to work to improve the tourism and travel infrastructure.
On his part, Malta Tourism Authority chairman Dr Gavin Gulia expressed satisfaction at the tourism results achieved to date, while acknowledging the direct relationship between increased airline seat capacity and added tourist volumes. He also asserted that the MTA and MIA will continue working hand in hand to execute government's policy aimed at further diversifying Malta's tourism.
MIA is also committed to deliver its investment programme and will be executing a number of projects over the medium term. The company is already looking into plans for a €40m terminal expansion, which will equip the airport with further check-in desks, increased circulation space and additional seating to continue to amplify the experience of its guests.
Additionally, later this year, works on a multi-storey car park, which will accommodate car rental facilities within and provide 700 additional car parking spaces within the airport campus, will commence.