Ryanair reports 100% growth for Malta

Ryanair has published its inbound passenger numbers for Malta for the first six months of 2008. Ryanair grew its passenger numbers by over 100% in the first six months of 2008, when compared with the corresponding period in 2007. During 2008, Ryanair has grown its first half year figures from 47,504 (recorded in the first six months of 2007) to 95,917 inbound passengers.

This growth has meant that Ryanair, and not Air Malta, was the biggest contributor to growth in Maltese tourism during the period.

In an earlier press release, Air Malta claimed to be the biggest contributor with 57% of the 77,000 additional passengers. In reality in its calculation, Air Malta had failed to take into account that a number of airlines were flying fewer passengers than previously. Consequently, Ryanair’s growth of 48,413 passengers, for the first half of 2008 over 2007, meant that it was the number one airline for growth in Malta in the first half of 2008.

Commenting on Air Malta’s figures, Ryanair’s Deputy Chief Executive, Michael Cawley, said:

“This is typical of Air Malta’s misleading claims. By claiming to be the largest contributor to Maltese tourism this year, Air Malta forgot to do its sums. Ryanair’s inbound traffic growth of in excess of 48,000 passengers in the first half of this year represents a record and puts it at the top of the list for growth in inbound tourism. As some airlines are obviously reducing passenger numbers, Ryanair’s lowest fares guaranteed are the key to increasing passenger traffic and tourism on to and off the island.

“We are pleased to be number one in Europe and in Malta and look forward to working with the Government of Malta to further developing our business in the future”.