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249,410 Passenger Movements Between Malta & Italy In August

249,410 Passenger Movements Between Malta & Italy In August
Sep 12 2024 Share

Malta International Airport saw a record-breaking 983,182 passengers in August 2024, making it the airport’s busiest month ever.

This marked an 11.9% increase compared to August 2023, driven by high summer travel demand. The peak day was August 8th, with 34,771 passengers.

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Aircraft movements rose by 14.3%, with 6,106 take-offs and landings, while seat capacity increased by 12.1%. Flights were filled at 91.2%, the highest load factor of 2024 so far.

Italy and the United Kingdom continued to dominate as the airport’s top markets, together accounting for nearly 45% of traffic. Rome’s Fiumicino was the most popular destination, with 58,782 passengers.

Notably, Germany surpassed France to become the third largest market, and Spain returned to the top five for the first time since February. The UK saw the fastest growth among the top five markets, with a 25% increase in traffic.

By the end of August, Malta International Airport had handled over 6 million passengers for the year, up 16.3% from 2023. Additionally, the airport processed 1,987 tonnes of cargo and mail during the month.

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Mel Gibson In Malta: Meets Prime Minister

Mel Gibson In Malta: Meets Prime Minister
Sep 11 2024 Share

Renowned actor and director Mel Gibson has been spotted in Malta, meeting even Prime Minister Robert Abela during his stay here.

The Prime Minister revealed in a social media post that he had the opportunity to sit down and discuss with him about some particular projects he intends to work in Malta on.

Gibson is well known for his roles in films such as Braveheart, wherein he portrayed William Wallace, and the Patriot, as well as for directing films such as The Passion of the Christ.

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Denis Villeneuve Confirms ‘Dune 3’ Will Be The Final Franchise Film

Denis Villeneuve Confirms 'Dune 3' Will Be The Final Franchise Film
Sep 11 2024 Share

Denis Villeneuve has confirmed that the third Dune film will be the final installment of his involvement in the franchise, though he clarified that it is not a traditional trilogy. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Villeneuve explained, “It was really a diptych. A pair of movies that adapt the first book. That’s done and finished.” The third film, tentatively titled Dune: Messiah, is already in the writing stage but will stand apart from the first two films.

Set 12 years after the events of the first Dune novel, Dune: Messiah will require the cast to be aged up. On this challenge, Villeneuve commented, “That’s my problem. I know how to do that.” While Villeneuve has indicated a desire to move on from the Dune universe, he hinted that the franchise could continue under another director. He said, “If Dune: Messiah happens, I would love to do something else. But there are beautiful books, more difficult to adapt. I’m not closing the door, but I will not do it myself.”

Villeneuve’s exit does not mean the end for the series, leaving the possibility open for someone else to explore Frank Herbert’s increasingly complex novels.

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Racist Graffiti on Tallinja Bus Sparks Xenophobia Debate in Malta

Racist Graffiti on Tallinja Bus Sparks Xenophobia Debate in Malta
Sep 11 2024 Share

Racist graffiti reading “Indiani go home” was discovered on a Tallinja bus in Malta, sparking renewed concerns about rising xenophobia in the country. The image, shared widely on the Expats Malta Facebook group, has fueled discussions about the growing tensions between locals and foreign workers.

In response to the incident, one commenter defended the contributions of expats, emphasizing their integral role in Malta’s economy: “If all expats leave, who will serve as your waiter, chef, or cleaner? We are humans, not aliens. Respect should be mutual.”

Others expressed frustration over the social changes in Malta, with one user commenting, “It’s becoming harder to find Maltese people. Europe is changing, and it’s saddening.”

The graffiti incident comes at a time when public discourse around immigration and integration has become increasingly divisive, reflecting broader European trends. Calls for unity and tolerance have been growing amid these ongoing debates.

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