MIA expects 5% passenger traffic growth despite current slow-down

Malta International Airport said today that passenger traffic in the second half of this year was less than anticipated but it still expects to end the year with higher throughput than in 2007.

"For the period July to October passenger traffic was down by 1.1% over the same period last year and we anticipate this downturn to continue for the remaining months of 2008 and throughout winter 2008/09," the company said in a regular statement to the stock exchange.

It said, however, that it still expects passenger throughput for 2008 to exceed 3,100,000 passengers,
which will be approximately 5% more than last year.

The company said it is continuing with its ambitious programme of enhancement to the air terminal building. More shopping areas will come on line by the end of the year and the entire project is expected to be completed by June 2009.