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Following a record year in 2010 in which the Malta International Airport (MIA) handled 3.29 million passengers, 2011 has been another record year as the Airport has surpassed 3.5 million passenger movements. These results were announced by the new Malta International Airport Chief Executive Officer Markus Klaushofer during a visit by the Minister of Finance, the Economy and Investment Tonio Fenech and the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, the Environment and Culture, Mario de Marco.

The Hon. de Marco welcomed the results and commented that “this was the result of intense marketing activities meant to register increased passenger movements with significant drops in seat capacity. This is also in line with our thinking that airlines should make fuller use of seat capacity. I am also pleased to note that there is a close collaboration between the MIA and the MTA especially in the development of accessibility to our country. Whereas the MIA was awarded the Best European Airport of the year 2010, the MTA was awarded the International Routes Award 2011, for the best destination marketing and air route development. This shows collaboration between the MIA and MTA at its best.”

Minister of Finance, the Economy and Investment, Tonio Fenech, also welcomed the results and commented that since privatisation, the Company has given a direct contribution to the enhancement of the Maltese tourism product as it is the first and last impression tourists get of Malta, while at the same time playing an important role in Malta’s economic development.

Since privatisation, MIA has invested over €52 million in capital projects enhancing the amenities and infrastructure at the airport. Over €16 million are being invested in the construction of SkyParks Business Centre. The Minister noted that the important contribution also in terms of job creation, highlighting that MIA employs 300 people directly, while another 100 people work with subcontractors that operate services such as security, cleaning and some technical maintenance such as lifts and air conditioning. Moreover, the retail outlets within the Airport sustain an average of 200 other jobs.

Tonio Fenech also welcomed Mr Klaushofer’s announcement that this has been a record year for passenger movements through MIA, which complements statistics issued at end of 2011 regarding tourism arrivals, bednights and expenditure, which have surpassed the already record levels of 2010. “These results have also been achieved thanks to substantial investment, which Government is sustaining and improving upon in 2012”. In particular, the Minister mentioned the increase in MTA’s budget, to €36m, the different schemes to support hotels and restaurants in upgrading their product, in investing in alternative energy to reduce their energy costs, investment in embellishment and capital projects that enhance the image of Malta as a quality tourism destination, and in various other schemes intended at attracting more niche-market tourists, such as sports and conferencing to Malta.

The Minister concluded by thanking MIA for its efforts at continuously upgrading its product and therefore playing an important role in the success Malta can offer.