Malta International Airport said today that it has waived landing fees of all scheduled airlines flying to Malta this winter.

It said it will give a 100% refund of landing fees to all scheduled airlines up to the end of March to stimulate traffic.

CEO Austin Calleja said that Malta Airport has already announced that 2011 will be another record year, and that this incentive would maintain the momentum reached thus far. 

"With the success registered during this summer, we see the need to invest in the shoulder/winter months by making it easier for airlines to operate to and from our airport. All our scheduled airlines – amongst which: Air Malta, Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, Emirates, Alitalita and Egyptair – will benefit from this initiative, and consequentially so will our tourism industry," added Mr Calleja.

He insisted that the company has always been very conscious of the crucial role it has in the tourism industry of the Maltese Islands, and this initiative is to be seen in the light of giving further incentives to airlines to bring visitors, especially on the increasingly popular city/weekend breaks during a difficult period of the year for local tourism operators.

"This initiative will mean that the Company will forfeit its revenue from the landing fees within this period, but it considers this as an investment aimed specifically at addressing the ever-present issue of seasonality."

Malta International Airport plc is considering other incentive schemes for 2012 to make the airport and consequentially Malta, more attractive for airlines to operate from, Mr Calleja added.

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