Elke Thiel, a 45-year-old tourist  from Germany, was given a special welcome at Malta Airport's La Valette Lounge today after became the three millionth passenger to arrive at MIA this year.

She flew in from Frankfurt on a Lufthansa flight and was greeted with flowers and gifts by MIA's acting CEO Austin Calleja, the Malta Tourism Authority's CEO,  Josef Formosa Gauci, and Lufthansa's Malta manager, Sylvain Heydlauf.

Mr Calleja said that this was the third time that Malta Airport had reached the 3 millionth mark in a year, the first time being in December 2008 and the second time in November last year.

"We are very pleased that we have reached this target this year. From our estimates thus far, it turns out that we are going to end the year with a record number of passenger movements – better than 2010, which is to date our current record year. Indeed, we are reviewing the latest forecast for 2011, from the +3.2% announced in July to at least +4.5%. This result is due to the close collaboration with all the other stakeholders, especially our clients the airlines like Lufthansa and their codeshare partner Air Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority and Government," added Mr Calleja.

Mr Formosa Gauci, when addressing the media, welcomed Ms Thiel – who is on her first trip to Malta. He added that "it gives me great pleasure, today, to be present for Malta Airport's attainment of yet another important landmark result: reaching the three million passenger mark, and when still in mid-October. In a relatively short period of time, Malta International Airport has notched up an impressive number of achievements, all of which contribute in no small way to the well-being of the tourism industry in Malta and Gozo. The MTA and Malta Airport enjoy a very close collaboration, especially with regards to the development of accessibility to Malta, which collaboration has also resulted in Malta winning the very prestigious international Routes Award 2011, for the best destination marketing and air route development."

Mr Heydlauf said it was a pleasure that Lufthansa had the privilege to bring this year's three millionth passenger to Malta. Lufthansa was growing its presence in Malta, through the deployment of the Airbus A321, the largest aircraft of its continental fleet. It was also expanding its flight schedule, also connecting Malta and Munich on weekends. The Munich service would also be operated throughout the winter.