Air Malta posts better results

Air Malta reported a 4.4 per cent rise in traffic last month over the same period in 2008 in spite of the global economic recession and cutbacks by other airlines worldwide.

Chief commercial officer Brock Friesen said: "Air Malta is delighted with this achievement. The growth in passengers does not signal that we are out of the tourism recession or that Air Malta's revenue is also up, however."

Dr Friesen said fares had been lowered, especially on the German and French markets, resulting in a growth in traffic of 15 and 14 per cent respectively.

The decision to operate with an additional aircraft had paid dividends for the airline, he said.