More than 3,000 evacuees have flown into Malta from Libya, according to the Malta International Airport, as the country doubles as a base for foreign nationals fleeing Libya’s uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.

But that is only part of the big picture, as more than 4,100 expatriates from Libya, including some who came in by boat, have already left the island for their homeland, with 1,350 leaving yesterday.

“We are very proud of all our staff who have been working round the clock for a whole week,” an MIA spokesman said during a media event at the airport.

The departures lounge was buzzing with activity yesterday, as the British check-in line was marked with its national flag and British Embassy staff in florescent yellow jackets were answering questions by the passengers.

At the non-Schengen boarding gates, some 350 Chinese passengers were waiting to fly back home.

MIA staff gave out sandwiches to those waiting, while Chinese Ambassador Keyuan Zhang was helping the people in transit.

“The Prime Minister of China has asked me to convey his thanks to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi for all the help we’ve been given,” Mr Zhang said.

He pointed out that Malta had been a “close friend” and helped bring his people to safety in “a happy way”.

Some 5,000 Chinese evacuees have used the island as a transit point and four jumbo jets are flying in and out of the country daily to take them back home, according to the ambassador. Until yesterday, 2,225 of these were still on board the ships berthed at Grand Harbour.

The ambassador said China had 35,000 expatriates working in Libya before the crisis. International media reported that some 29,000 had already been evacuated.

Meanwhile, the MIA has had 212 aircraft movements related to Libya since the crisis began, and all six aprons were maximised to ensure scheduled flights remained unaffected by the uprising.

Of the aircraft movements, 70 were normal commercial flights, 92 military flights and 50 were by small private jets.

“As the Prime Minister said, it (the situation in Libya) is unlikely to stop anytime soon, but we’re facing it with honour and trying our best to maintain the integrity of those involved,” the MIA spokesman said.