Ryanair today renewed its call for lower airport charges in Malta, saying that while its European traffic will grow by 15% this year, its growth in Malta will account for less than 1%.

In a statement, the low-cost airline noted that Malta in the first eight months of this year had seen its tourist numbers decline by 200,000 - a 9% year on year decline. This was despite the fact that Ryanair passenger numbers to Malta grew by 6% in the period.

"Ryanair continues to grow passengers and tourism in countries such as Italy and Spain where airport costs have been reduced - in some case to zero - in order to stimulate inward tourism and protect jobs. Italy and Spain will account for 50% and 35% respectively of Ryanair's growth this year as both countries have addressed the main deterrent to growth -airport costs," the airline said.

"Ryanair urges Malta to follow Italy and Spain and address their exorbitant airport costs immediately in order to grow passenger numbers and jobs. If cost reductions are secured Ryanair will immediately help to reverse the declining tourism trend in Malta by growing further."