Malta International Airport passenger traffic rises 12% to 1.1 million in September

Malta International Airport recorded more than 1.1 million passenger movements in September 2026, representing a 12 per cent increase compared to the same month last year, as additional flights and expanded seat capacity continued to drive traffic growth.

According to figures published by Malta International Airport plc (MIA) on Monday (yesterday), the airport welcomed 1,109,789 passengers during September, supported by a 12.6 per cent increase in aircraft movements and a 15.8 per cent rise in available seat capacity.

Despite the growth in passenger numbers, the airport's seat load factor, which measures the proportion of available airline seats occupied by passengers, declined by three percentage points year-on-year to 87.7 per cent. These figures indicate that while airlines increased the number of seats available on routes serving Malta, passenger demand grew at a slower rate than capacity.

The United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Germany and France remained Malta's five largest passenger markets, collectively accounting for 63 per cent of total traffic during September.

Four of these markets – the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland and Germany – recorded year-on-year growth, although MIA did not specify the individual growth rates.

France was the only market among the top five to register a decline, with passenger numbers falling by 10.7 per cent compared to September 2025.

Looking ahead to the winter season, MIA has launched its new flight schedule, which will provide connections to 31 markets.

September's performance follows a record year for the airport in 2025, when passenger movements surpassed 10 million for the first time.

During that year, Malta was connected to 111 airports across 37 markets, with services operated by 34 airline partners.

The airport is also implementing a multi-million-euro, five-year investment programme announced in early 2025, to improve operational infrastructure, expanding its retail and property portfolio, and reducing its environmental footprint.