Rise in passenger numbers

Air traffic movements at the Malta International Airport in November crept up by 2.5 per cent over the same month last year, following a general slump of 6.5 per cent in the January to November period.

Passenger movements on scheduled and non-scheduled flights amounted to 80,236 - an increase of 4,330 passengers over November last year, with increases registered in aircraft movements and cargo and mail figures.

Passenger traffic to Spain saw a huge increase of 80.6 per cent, while the most popular destination was the UK, with 66,109 passenger movements to its name - a slight drop of 0.5 per cent over the same month last year. Italy is ranked second at less than half of UK movements, with 30,997 passengers.

The busiest day for airport traffic was November 1, with 8,589 passengers and 72 aircraft movements.