Malta Airport has surpassed 2019 levels by 6.7 per cent, reaching a record of 7.8 million passengers in 2023.
After this record, the airport company expects to welcome eight million passengers in 2024.
In addition to passenger traffic, Malta Airport aims to reach a total revenue of €126 million. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) is expected to reach €79 million, net profit €42, and planned CAPEX is expected to reach €45 million.
Alan Borg, CEO of the airport company, stated that last year, Malta Airport achieved record-breaking monthly figures for the first time since 2019.
While travel demand has remained resilient throughout the year, we are entering 2024 with cautious optimism, as we expect to see passenger traffic growth level off over the coming months while continuing to face macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds.
Borg further revealed that in 2024, the company plans to expand the airport’s capacity. More specifically, the company concludes phases of terminal expansion and Apron X construction this year and will start works on the VIP Terminal and SkyParks Business Centre 2.
Meanwhile, Leslie Vella, Deputy CEO of Malta Tourism Authority, praised the partnership between Malta Airport and MTA, attributing it to the record success of the Maltese tourism industry.
Vella further committed that MTA will keep collaborating with the airport to achieve ongoing, sustainable growth throughout the year.
In general, Malta Airport has reported increased passenger traffic throughout 2023. The highest number of passengers was registered in August last year, with 878,462 travelling through this airport. Additionally, this figure exceeded 2019 levels by 6.7 per cent.
After August, the second month with the highest number of passengers last year was July, with 848,716 travellers. Malta Airport experienced high passenger traffic during September and October, with over 812,000 and over 770,000 passengers, respectively.
Last year, Malta International Airport also secured its first-ever seat on Airports Council International’s regional board (ACI).
In addition to passenger traffic, Malta has been reporting a continuous increase in tourists since 2019, the pre-pandemic year.
Between September and December last year, Malta saw a growth in the number of Chinese travellers compared to the same period in 2022.
Meanwhile, in 2022, Malta welcomed approximately 2.3 million tourists, reaching 83 per cent of 2019 levels.