Ryanair carried more passengers per flight than Air Malta in 2015

Although Air Malta remains the major air carrier – followed closely by Ryanair – the low-cost airline registered an average of 165 passengers per flight in 2015, as opposed to the national airline’s 120 average, new data has revealed.

The Transport Statistics 2016, published by the National Statistics Office, also reported that passenger traffic at the Malta International Airport in 2015 increased by 7.7% compared to 2014.

“The UK and Italy remain the two most popular destinations in terms of total passenger movement,” the NSO said. “The increases in passenger movement over 2014 were 4.7% and 13.4% respectively.”

On sea transport, the NSO said that in 2015, the stock of vessels registered under the Maltese flag increased by 8.7%, with pleasure yachts comprising 54.2% - or 511 vessels – of all newly-registered vessels.

Cruise liners embarkations from Malta and landings in Malta increased by 49.1% and 51.6% respectively over 2014.

Whereas road traffic accidents increased by 7.1% in 2015 over 2014, traffic casualties decreased by 4.7% over 2014; injuries sustained by 4 drivers, 2 passengers and 5 pedestrians proved fatal.

The NSO noted that the number of licensed motor vehicles increased at an average net rate of 32 vehicles per day, with more than half of the newly licensed motor vehicles being ‘used’ vehicles.

The number of licensed motor vehicles per 1,000 residents went up to 799 from 781 in 2014.

Passenger cars accounted for 79.4% of total licensed motor vehicles, but motorcycles registered the highest increase at 9.3%.

60.6% of total licensed vehicles had petrol engines, down from 62.3% registered in 2010, resulting in a 1.4 percentage point increase in the share of diesel engines over six years.

Slightly more than 40% of total driving license holders were female, the NSO said, a slight increase on 39% share of 2010.

The NSO reported that total CO2 equivalent emissions increased by 16.4% from 2005 levels, with 84.1% of emissions caused by fuel combustion from road transportation. CO2 comprised 98% of all greenhouse gases registered.