MIA registers 4.2% increase in passenger traffic in April

The Malta International Airport (MIA) said that it hosted 392,676 passengers in April, registering an increase of 4.2% over the same month in 2014.

According to MIA, April’s passenger growth is in line with the increase in aircraft movements of 4.1%, which translated to a seat capacity increase over last year.

April also saw growth in the seat load factor, that is, the percentage of filled seats on each flight. This number went up to 77.8%, compared to 76.7% during the same period in 2014.

“April’s results were an encouraging start to the busiest period of our calendar. This is also an exciting time for us because we will be finalising a series of investments worth €4 million which will be ready just before the peak season,” said MIA CEO Alan Borg

“As Malta’s only airport, we have a responsibility to keep investing in our product and continue helping Malta’s tourism industry reach its potential.”

The airport pointed out that most of last month’s growth came from traffic to and from Italy and Germany.

“The German market increased by 11.8%, which amounted to 5,836 more passengers than in 2014, largely due to the fact that the Cruise and Fly operation was launched earlier this year,” the statement read.

The airport also registered an increase in traffic to and from Milan, Rome and Catania which contributed to 13.9% more passengers in the Italy market when compared to last year, while Spain also re-entered the airport’s top market list with a 15% increase in traffic over 2014.

MIA pointed out that traffic from Poland had doubled in April, putting it in 6th place on the airport’s top destinations list, whereas the British market shrank by 3.1% with slight drops registered on Manchester and Gatwick flights and reduced operations on regional routes. The airport also registered a 2.7% reduction in traffic from France.

The airport also reported that the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) increased by 2.7% and cargo and mail decreased by 2 %.