Passenger traffic down eight per cent

Passenger traffic at the airport last month totalled 175,906 movements, an eight per cent drop compared to the same period last year, and a shortfall of 15,349.

Aircraft movement also dropped by 8.3 per cent to 1,789. On the other hand, cargo and mail handled increased by 8.2 per cent to 1,578 tons. Malta International Airport said passengers from the UK continued to decrease by 12.9 per cent. Also following a downward trend were the German (-8 per cent) and Italian (-4.1 per cent) markets.

On the other hand, traffic from Belgium rose by 25.8 per cent and from France by 37.6 per cent. MIA said figures for January to November show a 5.3 per cent increase over the same period last year in passenger movement. Still, aircraft movements declined by 0.6 per cent.