Earlier today, Malta International Airport welcomed its 3 millionth passenger for 2011, which was estimated as coming in on Lufthansa flight LH1274 from Frankfurt at 1155hrs.

The passenger, 45-year-old Elke Thiel from Germany, was welcomed at Malta Airport’s La Valette Lounge at Arrivals, by Malta Airport’s CEO ad interim, Mr Austin Calleja; the Malta Tourism Authority’s CEO, Mr Josef Formosa Gauci, and Lufthansa’s Malta GM, Sylvain Heydlauf.

When commenting about this milestone, Mr Calleja said that this was the third time in its history that Malta Airport has reached the 3 millionth mark in a year, the first time occurring in December 2008 and the second time in November last year.

“We are very pleased that we have reached this target this year. From our estimates thus far, it turns out that we are going to end the year with a record number of passenger movements – better than 2010, which is to date our current record year. Indeed, we are reviewing the latest forecast for 2011, from the +3.2% announced in July to at least +4.5%. This result is due to the close collaboration with all the other stakeholders, especially our clients the airlines like Lufthansa and their codeshare partner Air Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority and Government,” added Mr Calleja.

Mr Formosa Gauci, welcomed Ms Thiel – who is on her first trip to Malta. He added that “it gives me great pleasure, today, to be present for Malta Airport’s attainment of yet another important landmark result: reaching the three million passenger mark, and when still in mid-October. In a relatively short period of time, Malta International Airport has notched up an impressive number of achievements, all of which contribute in no small way to the well-being of the tourism industry in Malta and Gozo. The MTA and Malta Airport enjoy a very close collaboration, especially with regards to the development of accessibility to Malta, which collaboration has also resulted in Malta winning the very prestigious international Routes Award 2011, for the best destination marketing and air route development.”

Mr Heydlauf commented that “it is with great pleasure to announce that Lufthansa had the privilege to bring this year’s three millionth passenger to Malta. Lufthansa is growing its presence in Malta, through the deployment of the Airbus A321, the largest aircraft of its continental fleet, and secondly by expanding its flight schedule since April 2011, thus connecting Malta and Munich on weekends. We are happy to announce that the Munich service will be operated throughout the winter as well.”

Ms Thiel was presented with a gift and flowers to mark the occasion.

Photo shows from left – Mr Sylvain Heydlauf (Lufthansa Malta), Mr Josef Formosa Gauci (Malta Tourism Authority), Ms Elke Thiel and Mr Austin Calleja (Malta Airport).

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