17.8% increase in airport traffic

Airport traffic in November increased by 17.8% when compared with the corresponding month last year, extending this year's record streak to the first full month of the winter season.

The increase in airport traffic was mainly due to an 18% increase in seat capacity. However, the seat capacity, which refers to the number of seats available across all served routes, retained the same seat load factor.

"A total of 249,133 passengers were hosted by Malta International Airport last month, breaking all previous records for November. This continues to confirm a very positive trend experienced throughout 2013, with one record month after another, even in the first full month of the winter season," said Malta Airport CEO Markus Klaushofer.

The airport hosted more than 3.8 million passengers from January to November that marks a 10.4% increase over the same period last year.

The same period also saw a seat capacity increase of 10.2%.

November's increase was heavily attributable to massive growth in some major markets; amongst which included a 14.9% increase in UK airport traffic.

Traffic also increased in Italy  by 25 %, in Spain by 37.2 %, and Germany, by 5 %.

Meanwhile, aircraft movements increased by 18.1 % in November compared to the same period last year. The maximum take off weight increased by 15.5 % and cargo mail increased by 2.2 %