Malta International Airport is projecting an increase in passenger movements of 6.5 percent to 3.18 million this year, new CEO Julian Jaeger told a press conference this morning.

The airport handled just over three million passengers in 2007, an increase of 10.35 percent over 2006, which was almost double the average growth rate of European airports.

He said that while the arrival of low cost airlines was the ‘cherry on the cake’ in terms of airport movements, 77 percent of movements last year were still attributable to the legacy carriers, followed by 12.55 percent to charter flights and 9.56 to the low cost airlines.

Air Malta remained by far the most important carrier, at 55 percent of all movements, followed by 7.5 percent for Ryanair and 5.8 percent for British Airways.

The CEO said MIA was investing €9 million on a four-year programme to resurface the runways and taxiways. The air terminal building was also being extended to provide better security facilities and add 700 square metres to the shopping mall at the departures lounge.

He said MIA was continuing to have talks on the possible development of a business park on its grounds and a final decision would have to be taken this year, he said.

MIA would also continue to promote schemes to encourage connections with under-served destinations but all airlines would otherwise continue to be treated equally.

He said in reply to a question that he did not think Ryanair would establish a base in Malta.

Picture shows how the facade of the air terminal will look once current works are completed.