Christmas has come early for airlines operating to and from Malta as the airport company waives landing fees for the winter months.
With the success registered this summer, we see the need to invest in the shoulder/winter months
Malta International Airport yesterday said it will be giving all scheduled airlines a full refund on their landing fees between November 2011 and March next year.
A company spokesman estimated the decision will cost around €1.3 million in lost revenue from landing fees depending on the number of flights operating during the period.
He said the savings airlines will make depended on the number of flights they operate.
Asked whether the decision was a result of government pressure, the spokesman said there was “absolutely no request” from the authorities to undertake this initiative.
“This incentive was the result of market research carried out by the company and is addressing an area of much needed growth in the weak winter season,” the spokesman said.
A company statement quoted chief executive Austin Calleja saying the initiative was intended to address the issue of seasonality in the tourism sector by stimulating traffic during the winter months.
“With the success registered 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,” Mr Calleja said.
The company has always been “very conscious” of the crucial role it has in the tourism industry, he added.
The decision goes a little way in mitigating some of the costs borne by the national airline, Air Malta, currently undergoing a restructuring process.
As part of the restructuring the airline has indicated it wants to re-negotiate third party contracts, including charges levied by the airport.
However, MIA has consistently said that any arrangements reached with Air Malta cannot be discriminatory and has to benefit other airlines.
The airport company has experienced record passenger movements this year, surpassing the three million mark.
Figures released earlier this month show that passenger movements in the first 10 months increased by 7.3 per cent to 3,128,418, when compared to the same period last year.
These results were obtained after a strong increase in the average seat load factor – occupied seats on each aircraft – and despite a 2.2 per cent drop in aircraft movements over the same period last year.
The beneficiaries
Air Malta, Ryanair, Easyjet, Lufthansa, Emirates, Alitalia and Egyptair.