Malta International Airport CEO Julian Jaeger is cautiously optimistic about the prospects for the second half of next year saying there has been a considerable interest in Malta and that business lost through decreased passenger movements can be made up through non-aviation sources such as retailing.
Mr Jaeger told The Times Business in an interview that the global economic downturn will definitely affect MIA in 2009 and the company was in contact with a number of new carriers from Eastern Europe, the UK and other places to encourage them to fly to Malta. He said: "We received so far more interest than expected which makes us more cautiously optimistic for the second half of the year".
He said that that the most important thing for the company is new capacity and new routes, adding that the government has tendered for new routes from three UK regional airports Newcastle, Leeds and Bristol "and we hope there will be new routes by next summer".
Mr Jaeger does not believe decreased passenger movements will affect MIA's revenue from concessionaires in 2009 and the demand for new retail space, pointing out that the company has just increased the space for retail quite significantly and negotiated new contracts.
He also highlighted a number of new projects taking place at MIA such as a gaming hall and a food court and said the company had upgraded its executive lounge and taken over the car park, all of which should generate some additional revenue.
Mr Jager said MIA's ultimate aim is to become less dependent on the amount of passengers passing through the airport.
Asked whether MIA will be able to maintain its dividend levels despite lower passenger movements, he replied: "At this point in time I have no indication that the board of directors will change its policy regarding dividends".
Mr Jaeger told The Times Business in an interview that the global economic downturn will definitely affect MIA in 2009 and the company was in contact with a number of new carriers from Eastern Europe, the UK and other places to encourage them to fly to Malta. He said: "We received so far more interest than expected which makes us more cautiously optimistic for the second half of the year".
He said that that the most important thing for the company is new capacity and new routes, adding that the government has tendered for new routes from three UK regional airports Newcastle, Leeds and Bristol "and we hope there will be new routes by next summer".
Mr Jaeger does not believe decreased passenger movements will affect MIA's revenue from concessionaires in 2009 and the demand for new retail space, pointing out that the company has just increased the space for retail quite significantly and negotiated new contracts.
He also highlighted a number of new projects taking place at MIA such as a gaming hall and a food court and said the company had upgraded its executive lounge and taken over the car park, all of which should generate some additional revenue.
Mr Jager said MIA's ultimate aim is to become less dependent on the amount of passengers passing through the airport.
Asked whether MIA will be able to maintain its dividend levels despite lower passenger movements, he replied: "At this point in time I have no indication that the board of directors will change its policy regarding dividends".