![2024 Passenger Forecast Expected To Go Over 8 Million](https://maltadaily.mt/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/airweb.jpg)
Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg has warned of expected queues this summer due to record passenger numbers, pushing the airport to its “extreme limits.”
Borg told the Times of Malta that passenger projections were significantly underestimated, with the airport experiencing unprecedented monthly passenger volumes this year.
Staff are working tirelessly to manage the busiest season, with ongoing upgrades to the airport facilities. Borg admitted the cautious projections led to development lagging behind actual passenger numbers.
In 2023, the airport handled 7.8 million passengers, a national record, and initially projected 8 million for 2024. However, higher-than-expected numbers suggest this target will be surpassed.
Last month, the airport saw 800,000 passengers, 70,000 more than the same period last year.
To manage the influx, the airport is installing signage and assigning staff to assist passengers, advising them to check in online and arrive no more than two hours before departure.
Upgrades aim to double the airport’s capacity, including expanding non-Schengen arrival areas and increasing aircraft capacity by a third by next year. Despite the construction, Borg assured passengers that disruptions would be minimal.
The airport acknowledges overcrowding challenges and plans to reconfigure seating to increase capacity. Borg highlighted a strong post-COVID recovery, with new airlines and increased flights, especially to Poland and the UK. Despite operating at full capacity, he expressed confidence in handling the summer traffic.
Borg emphasized sustainable growth over sheer numbers, focusing on attracting high-value tourists and boosting winter tourism. He noted that success should not be measured by tourist numbers alone, advocating for organic growth. Borg also discussed the seamless transition from Air Malta to KM Malta Airlines, emphasizing the importance of ownership over market share, despite Ryanair’s significant presence.
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