A record number of flights flew through Malta’s airspace in 2025, the government said.
It said that in the wake of numerous conflicts around the world, including in the Eastern Mediterranean area, Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS) played a vital role in maintaining the continuity, safety, and stability of the European network.
It stated that 2025 was characterised with major challenges for international aviation due to several conflicts. Because of this, aviation routes passing over these areas had to be either closed or avoided in order to safeguard the safety of all travellers.
It detailed that because instability rose in the Middle East in June 2025, Malta’s Flight Information Region (FIR) experienced an “unprecedented” increase in air traffic, reaching record levels in consecutive days. Resultantly, Malta’s Area Control Centre (ACC) became a central element in the European response to this crisis by helping to reduce delays and maintain the stability of the operations of a number of international airlines, it said.
In its statement, the government thanked the dedication, professionalism, and flexibility of its staff in ensuring that air travel remained safe, efficient, and reliable during this challenging period, despite great pressures on resources and further impacts on airport operations.
Transport Minister Chris Bonett also announced that in addition to the record number of aircraft using Maltese airspace, Malta also experienced a record number of aircraft landing and taking off at Malta International Airport.
Minister Bonett noted how every aircraft passing through Maltese airspace contributes financially, which means that the more flights travel through Maltese airspace, the greater the income received for the country.
He added that “there will soon be an investment of around half a million euros so that we have the most modern technology in the control tower that can withstand the demand for work that MATS is having.” The Minister for Transport concluded by thanking the workers for their hard work.
MATS’ chief executive Claude Mallia observed that 2025 put Malta’s air navigation system under “extraordinary pressure, with an increase in overflights – more than expected.” He added that MATS will be increasing its investment in human resources and technological advancements in order for it to continue bolstering its role within European aviation and to continue providing “an increasingly, safe, efficient, and modern service.”