Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1191618
12.12.19 5 NEWS THE winter season was off to a strong start at Malta International Airport, with November registering an increase of 8.7% in passenger movements over the same month last year. November's growth rate was, in fact, one of the strongest year-to-date in- creases, auguring well for Malta Inter- national Airport's strategy of stimulat- ing further traffic growth in the off-peak months. During the month of November, Mal- ta airport registered 493,201 passenger movements on the back of increases in both aircraft movements (+8.%) and seat capacity (+10.1%). Seat load factor (SLF) for the month stood at 78.1%. e top markets for November were the UK (-1.0%), Italy (+4.3%), Germa- ny (-7.4%), France (+19.2%), and Spain (+23.2%). e growth rates posted by the Italian and Spanish markets can be partly at- tributed to the introduction of the Tri- este and Santiago de Compostela routes for the season. In addition to these routes, MIA launched another two routes – Paphos in Cyprus and Nis in Serbia – as part of its winter flight schedule. Cumulatively, the airport's four new routes contrib- uted just over 10,460 passenger move- ments to total traffic for November. Winter off to strong start at Malta airport THE Malta Association of Credit Man- agement (MACM) said it is profoundly concerned about the current situation prevailing in Malta. "e negative sentiment luring over the Maltese islands and the unstable po- litical situation are having a damaging effect on the reputation of Malta, both internationally and locally. Should this situation prolong, it may possibly have irreversible repercussions on the local economy and foreign direct investment. In order to avoid further damage to our reputation and economy, the MACM appeals for immediate actions to be tak- en to return the Maltese Islands to nor- malcy, to prevent any further negative consequences on businesses, trade and our society at large," the MACM said. "Immediate measures to ensure good governance are necessary. wese are not only important but also imperative to rebuild trust in the institutions at this critical and utterly sensitive stage our country is at. Justice has to be served and is to be carried out without any conflicts of interest whatsoever. Polit- ical responsibility and accountability should be presumed and shouldered accordingly. "Prolonging this situation would also have a negative effect on potential for- eign direct investment, which may result in cash flow issues within our economy leading to defaulting or late payments by businesses. Issues with solvency of businesses would in turn ef- fect employment and kick start a spiral economic recession." MACM augured that those who are responsible will take the necessary measures with no hesitation to the ben- efit of the nation and place the nation- al interest above partisan and personal benefits. Credit management association appeals for protection of society, business and trade amid turbulent political situation