Malta's Airspace Handles Record Traffic

A record number of flights traversed Malta's airspace in 2025, as the country played a crucial role in maintaining European aviation stability during regional conflicts, the Government has announced.

Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS) managed unprecedented traffic volumes after Middle Eastern instability in June forced airlines to reroute flights away from conflict zones. Malta's Flight Information Region experienced record-breaking air traffic on consecutive days, with the Area Control Centre becoming central to Europe's crisis response by reducing delays and maintaining operational stability for international carriers.

Transport Minister Chris Bonett highlighted the financial benefits, noting that each aircraft passing through Maltese airspace generates revenue for the country. He announced a €500,000 investment in control tower technology to handle increased demand, thanking staff for their professionalism under extraordinary pressure.

MATS chief executive Claude Mallia acknowledged the system faced “extraordinary pressure, with an increase in overflights exceeding expectations,” pledging continued investment in personnel and technology to provide “an increasingly safe, efficient, and modern service.”

The aviation milestone complemented record-breaking passenger traffic at Malta International Airport (MIA), which handled 10 million travellers in 2025, the highest figure in the country's history. Delta Air Lines will launch Malta's first non-stop service to New York JFK from June 2026, operating three weekly flights, whilst last year Ryanair expanded to nine based aircraft and 57 routes, including new destinations such as Glasgow, Gothenburg, and Luxembourg.

Ryanair's expansion represents over $1 billion in investment, supporting more than 4,300 local jobs and growing passenger traffic to 5.2 million annually, a 15% increase. The combined achievements across airspace management and passenger operations underscore Malta's strengthening position as a Mediterranean aviation hub, with sustained growth anticipated throughout 2026.