Figures issued by the Association of European Airlines (AEA) show that in 2009 Air Malta was the 5th best performing airline in terms of passenger traffic compared to the 30 European airlines members of the Association.
In 2009 Air Malta transported 1,541,300 passengers (-2.6%) on scheduled services compared to the average -5.8% registered by the airline members of the Association, 3.2% points better than the European average.
Air Malta Chief Executive, Joe Cappello welcomed the results. "2009 was a difficult year for the whole airline business. The economic recession in various countries around the world had its toll on airlines large and small not only on passenger figures but also on yields. A few weeks ago the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that demand statistics for international scheduled air traffic show that 2009 suffered the largest ever post-war decline whilst in Europe, the Association of European Airlines said that its members registered a 20million passenger drop which surpasses the previously greatest recorded annual traffic loss, of 14 million in 2002, following the 9/11 outrage.
"As expected last year we registered a slight decrease in passengers over 2008. Thus, considering the international scenario, our record 2008 results, and the intense competition we have on the Malta routes, we believe that we have registered a relatively good year in terms of passenger figures," continued Mr Cappello.
During the last six years, Air Malta's fuel bill rose from €26 million in 2003 to €86 million for financial year 2008/2009.
"It is also worth pointing out that when the price of fuel was rising, and with it the airline's operating costs, the average fare of Air Malta's air tickets was going down. In fact, during the last six years Air Malta's fares went down by 13% while the fuel cost went up by 330%," said Mr Cappello.
In 2009 Air Malta's ten best performing routes were London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Munich, Catania, Rome, Paris Orly, Frankfurt, Brussels and Amsterdam. These routes contribute to almost one million passengers every year. The traffic performance of these routes was fairly stable over the last two years.
In 2009 a total of 135,000 passengers (+7.6%) were transported on the airline out of Catania airport over 2008. During the year Air Malta saw a decrease of 30% in charter traffic with 128,986 passengers travelling on Air Malta's charter services. Charter traffic was particularly hurt due to effects that low cost airlines had on tour operator traffic.