MIA handles more passengers, aircraft

International passenger movements at Malta International Airport increased by eight per cent and there was a five per cent rise in aircraft movements during the last quarter of 2002.

An MIA spokesman said that after experiencing a downturn in figures for 24 months, MIA registered an increase in passenger movements in the last three months of 2002.

"Confirmed figures indicate an increase in international passenger movements of 9.4 per cent in October, 5.5 per cent in November and 9.6 per cent in December over the corresponding months in 2001."

Average increases from the main countries between October and December, 2002, were registered as follows: mainland Italy, 16.8 per cent; Germany, six per cent, United Kingdom, 13.5 per cent; France 2.5 per cent; Russia 9.3 per cent; UAE, 41 per cent.

The spokesman said that MIA was satisfied with the latest figures and was confident that the positive trend would continue.

"We are quite optimistic that 2003 will be a positive year for MIA. This increase in passenger movements, the increase in flight frequencies operated by reputable airlines and the fact that new airlines such as Lauda Air will soon commence operations to Malta are a clear indication that MIA is moving in the right direction and will attain its main objectives for 2003", the spokesman said.