Malta International Airport recently published its traffic statistics for the month of May. Passenger movements increased by eight per cent from the previous month to 554,820. This is the second consecutive month since October 2019 (i.e. four months prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe) that passenger volumes exceeded 500,000.
Moreover, the number of passenger movements recorded in May 2022 is only 17.7 per cent below the amount of 674,101 passengers welcomed in the same period in 2019 prior to the onset of the pandemic.
Also worth noting is that the seat load factor (representing the occupancy on the planes) of 81.4 per cent during May 2022 was also the highest since October 2019 and even superior to the level of 80.3 per cent recorded in May 2019.
Since the start of 2022, the total number of passenger movements at 1.74 million has now virtually reached the level of traffic recorded in all of 2020. When compared to last year with passenger movements of 2.54 million, the actual traffic during the first five months of 2022 accounts for almost 70 per cent of the total traffic registered in 2021.
Despite the very challenging macro-economic conditions and intensifying inflationary pressures, it is very evident that a strong recovery is taking place across the tourism sector as a result of the pent-up demand for travel and the removal of pandemic-related restrictions. This is also evidenced by recent statements from MIA’s two largest carriers, namely Ryanair and AirMalta.
Last week, Ryanair’s chief executive revealed that bookings are strengthening with a seat load factor of around 94 per cent in June and continued strong demand and high seat load factors also in the next three months.
Flughafen Wien AG are expecting MIA to register above five million passenger movements in 2022
Moreover, in a post on social media, AirMalta’s executive chairman disclosed that following two very strong months in April and May, the national carrier is expected to register a better performance in June with a seat load factor well-above 90 per cent.
This augurs well for MIA on the assumption that no more pandemic-related lockdowns or major traffic restrictions will recur.
In fact, on June 13, MIA’s parent company – Flughafen Wien AG (Vienna Airport) – issued a press release to update its traffic and financial forecasts for this year. The Flughafen Wien Group now expects a total of 28 million passengers for the group, which includes 22 million at Vienna Airport and the balance of six million passenger movements among its two strategic investments – namely Malta Airport and Kosice Airport. This represents a significant upgrade from the forecasts at the start of the year, which amounted to 17 million for Vienna Airport and four million for their two strategic investments.
On the basis of the updated guidance, one can understand that Flughafen Wien AG are expecting MIA to register overall traffic volumes of above five million passenger movements in 2022, which would represent more than twice the traffic registered in 2021.
Given the strong indications provided by MIA’s two largest carriers for the summer months, the airport operator should emulate the recent announcement by its parent company and issue its 2022 traffic and financial guidance similar to what used to be published at the start of each year prior to the pandemic.
This could also coincide with the upcoming publication of the half-year financial report, which normally takes place by the end of July.
Prior to the pandemic, MIA had issued regular semi-annual dividends to shareholders ever since its Initial Public Offering in 2002. Following the suspension of dividends over the past two years due to the devastating impact from the pandemic on both the travel industry and the
company’s financial performance, MIA took the right measures aimed at preserving its liquidity and maintain financial stability.
However, in view of the consistent trend over recent months and clear indications for a strong summer, coupled with the continued strength of the company’s financial position with cash balances of €36.5 million as at March 31, the airport operator should recommence dividend payments to shareholders by declaring an interim dividend for 2022.
Rizzo, Farrugia & Co. (Stockbrokers) Ltd, ‘Rizzo Farrugia’, is a member of the Malta Stock Exchange and licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority. This report has been prepared in accordance with legal requirements. It has not been disclosed to the company/s herein mentioned before its publication. It is based on public information only and is published solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. The author and other relevant persons may not trade in the securities to which this report relates (other than executing unsolicited client orders) until such time as the recipients of this report have had a reasonable opportunity to act thereon. Rizzo Farrugia, its directors, the author of this report, other employees or Rizzo Farrugia on behalf of its clients, have holdings in the securities herein mentioned and may at any time make purchases and/or sales in them as principal or agent, and may also have other business relationships with the company/s. Stock markets are volatile and subject to fluctuations which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Neither Rizzo Farrugia, nor any of its directors or employees accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or any part thereof and no representation or warranty is provided in respect of the reliability of the information contained in this report.
© 2022 Rizzo, Farrugia & Co. (Stockbrokers) Ltd. All rights reserved.