During a visit to Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS), the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, Chris Bonett, thanked the workers for the work they carried out during the summer season which the year was particularly demanding. The minister was accompanied by the Chief Executive of MATS, Claude Mallia, and by the Chief Operations Officer, Robert Sant, who provided insight into the excellent performance and the objectives achieved by the entity.
The peak summer period, which started at the beginning of June and will continue until 21 September, saw traffic levels continue to rise as MATS set a new record on Sunday, 23 June , with 539 flights, exceeding the target of 500 flights per day. In addition, Malta International Airport (MIA) experienced peak summer traffic that exceeded forecasts, contributing significantly to the increase in statistics. The busiest day for movements at the airport was Thursday, July 27, with 255 aircraft movements while the daily movements for the summer period of this year increased by 12% compared to the previous year.
During the visit, Minister Bonett praised the MATS team for their dedication and professionalism in managing the increase in air traffic, especially during the peak summer period, which saw an increase significant both in airport movements and in overflights from within the Malta Flight Information Region (FIR).
“The dedication and work of the workers at Malta Air Traffic Services have ensured a safe, efficient, and record-breaking summer in our country’s air traffic. This success not only reflects the commitment of this team but also strengthens Malta’s position as a key player in the region’s aviation sector,” stressed Minister Bonett.
The Malta Air Traffic Services is the only entity that provides an air navigation service for the Maltese Islands while it is responsible for the air traffic control of both planes landing and taking off from the International Airport of ‘ Malta as well as of any aircraft passing through the Malta Flight Information Region (FIR). The Maltese FIR, which includes a large area from the Mediterranean, is influenced by geopolitical factors, which also have an impact on the volume of air traffic. This year, MATS also had an increase in flights in this area as the busiest day for air flights was July 28, with 315 movements, an increase of 3% on the previous year.
Chief Operations Officer Robert Sant highlighted the organisation’s impressive achievements, noting that despite the challenges, MATS has consistently exceeded expectations. “The continuous monitoring of our traffic has given excellent results. The entity aimed to reach 500 flights a day, and I am proud to announce that we have not only reached but surpassed this milestone and thus set a new record for MATS,” said Mr. Sant.
Photo (DOI-MTIP)
