VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta registered its highest-ever number of aircraft movements in a single day earlier this month, as rising tensions in the Middle East disrupted flight paths and rerouted traffic over the central Mediterranean.
Transport Minister Chris Bonett revealed in Parliament that Malta recorded more than 650 aircraft movements on 14 June, with multiple days that week surpassing the 600 mark. The spike followed the European Network Manager’s decision to close flight corridors over Iraq and Iran due to escalating regional conflict, redirecting traffic over Cyprus, Greece, the Balkans — and crucially, Malta.
“Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS) took immediate and professional action to maintain stability, minimise delays, and ensure flexible operational responses,” Bonett said, noting that over 12,000 minutes in potential delays were saved in the first 48 hours of rerouting.
The response earned praise from the Network Manager Operations Centre and major airlines including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways.
Meanwhile, the Ministry is now exploring long-term alternatives, including routes through Libyan airspace, to bolster regional resilience.
Bonett hailed MATS’ crisis response as “exceptional” and proof of Malta’s strategic role in European airspace management.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS)
