Malta International Airport's targets for this year is the inauguration of the Skyparks Project and a focus on emerging markets in the east of Europe, CEO Markus Klaushofer said this afternoon.

Speaking during a visit by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech and Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco, the newly appointed CEO, who took on responsibility for the airport last Sunday, said that last year was a successful one for MIA, which registered a record 3.5 million passenger movements.

"In effect, this means an increase of 6.5 per cent over 2010, which in itself was a record year which had then registered an increase of 12.8 per cent over 2009."

He said his plans for this year were the inauguration of the Skyparks Business Centre and a focus on the marketing department to target emerging markets in the east of Europe where he saw huge potential.

Mr Klaushofer said he worked in Russia before coming to Malta and he had good contacts which he hoped he would be able to use. He also welcomed the strong relationship between the airport, the Malta Tourism Authority and the government.

Before coming to Malta, Mr Klaushofer, 38, spent three years at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport.

He served on the MIA board of directors between April 2007 and April 2009.

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