Malta International Airport today announced that 6.77 million passengers are expected to pass through the terminal by the end of the year – an increase of 13% over 2017.

Not only are more people expected to arrive, but traffic for the first half of the year grew by 16.3%, surpassing initial projections and prompting the company to revise its original forecast.

“The upward trend in passenger movements observed over the past years stems from our efforts to secure the best connections for Malta. Whilst we are now operating with our 100-destination summer schedule, with 16 routes extended into winter and increased capacity on a number of other routes, the outlook for the upcoming season remains positive,” said Malta Airport CEO Alan Borg.

He also noted, if everything goes as project, 2018 will go down on record as the airport’s eighth year of uninterrupted traffic growth.

Mr Borg stressed that year-round tourism is a key common objective for all industry stakeholders

Malta is currently leading the way among its peers with a 219% growth in connectivity registered over a 10-year span. Not only that, but MIA is working on a multimillion euro investment that will see the biggest development of operational areas since the company’s privatisation.

A new apron will cater for a growing demand by commercial airlines wishing to start or increase operations to Malta, by accommodating up to seven Code C aircraft, which currently make up 98% of the airport’s schedule, the likes of which are operated by airlines such as Air Malta, Ryanair and Easyjet.

The company is also looking into plans for a 40-million-euro terminal expansion, which will equip the airport with further check-in desks, increased circulation space, and additional seating to continue to amplify the experience for its guests.

Additionally, later this year, works on a multi-storey car park, which will accommodate car rental facilities within and provide 700 additional car parking spaces within the airport campus, will commence.

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]