Over a million passengers traveled between Malta and Gozo in fourth quarter

In the fourth quarter of 2014, sea transport between Malta and Gozo registered increases in vehicles and passengers and a decrease in trips, when compared to the corresponding period of 2013.

A total of 1,040,122 passengers travelled between Malta and Gozo during the fourth quarter last year, up by 1.8 per cent when compared to the corresponding period of 2013. The highest number of passengers was recorded in October – 406,077, or 39.0 per cent of the total for the quarter. The number of vehicles increased by 3.8 per cent, totalling 298,695.

The number of trips in October-December 2014 stood at 4,750, a decrease of 0.5 per cent over the same period in 2013. In November 2014, the relative drop in the number of trips and passengers was mainly attributable to the extraordinary demand and supply generated by the ‘Free Travel to Gozo Weekend 15-17 November 2013’.

Annual Perspective

In 2014 increases were registered in the number of vehicles, passengers and trips between Malta and Gozo. Overall the number of trips went up by 230, or 1.2 per cent, over 2013. Passengers increased by 247,936 or 5.6 per cent, while the number of vehicles crossing between Malta and Gozo went up by 92,537 or 7.8 per cent.

As in previous years, the highest number of trips was recorded in August – 1,952 or 9.8 per cent of the total. The largest share of vehicles and passengers crossing between the two islands was also noted in August – 142,631 (11.2 per cent) and 543,475 (11.7 per cent) respectively