Ryanair announces new route Paphos-Malta

Ryanair has announced a new route between Paphos (Cyprus) and Malta Int'l Airport in 2019/20 winter season.  This new service will be offered by Ryanair twice weekly.  (Source: Ryanair, 26-Jun-2019)

Memorandum of Understanding signed on Malta-Brazil air services

A Memorandum of Understanding on air services and cooperation between the aeronautical authorities of Malta and Brazil has just been signed.

Yesterday, representatives from the Civil Aviation Directorate within Transport Malta met with their Brazilian counterparts in Lisbon, Portugal, to sign the Memorandum. The delegations also initiated an Air Services Agreement between the respective Governments.

This Memorandum allows the two sides to reach agreement on a common regulatory framework which would permit the operation of air services between Malta and Brazil, as well as open up new opportunities to the respective airlines and investors of both sides.

This Memorandum is in line with the Government's policy to continue increasing the connectivity of Malta to the rest of the world. Civil Aviation Directorate Director General, Capt C. Pace, said that other similar initiatives are also in the pipeline and work has already started with other South American countries which include Colombia, Chile and Argentina.  (Source: newsbook.com.mt, 26-Jun-2019)

Air Malta's flight to Munich delayed at Malta IAP for over five hours

Air Malta flight KM-306, between Malta IAP and Munich (Germany), was delayed at Malta IAP for over five hours today after aircraft that was gonna operate the flight (A320, 9H-AHS) was involved in a bird strike while landing at Malta IAP as KM-640 from Catania-Fontanarossa.  Flight KM-306 was eventually operated by a replacement aircraft (A319, 9H-AEJ).  It reached Munich with a delay of nearly 5-hrs 30-mins.  (22-Jun-2019)

Air Malta third in the 'Best Regional Airlines in Europe’ at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline awards

Air Malta has achieved 3rd place in the 'Best Regional Airlines in Europe' category at the 19th edition of the Skytrax World Airline awards.  These awards are based on independent research amongst travellers and are the global benchmark of airline excellence and the primary benchmarking tool for passenger satisfaction levels of airlines throughout the world.  (Source: Air Malta, 19-Jun-2019)

Ryanair's subsidiary Malta Air adds first B738 to its Maltese AOC

Registration:		9H-QAA
ICAO Mode-S:		4D21E9
Construction No.:		44782/6355
Aircraft Type:		Boeing B737-800
Operator:		Malta Air
Notes:		ex EI-FZI

Air Malta's flight to Paris-CDG delayed at Malta IAP after it was hit by an airport vehicle

A Getjet Airlines Airbus A320-200 (LY-KIT), operating flight KM-478 for Air Malta between Malta IAP and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (France), was delayed at Malta IAP for over three hours this morning after aircraft was hit by an airport ground vehicle.  After the aircraft was checked by the engineers and deemed save to operate the aircraft departed to Paris-Charles de Gaulle reaching destination with a delay of nearly three hours.  (16-Jun-2019)

Harmony Jets adds Falcon 100 to its Maltese registered fleet

Registration:		9H-FRM
ICAO Mode-S:		4D21E8
Construction No.:		203
Aircraft Type:		Dassault Falcon 100
Operator:		Harmony Jets
Notes:		ex F-GPGL

Ryanair's subsidiary Malta Air officially launched

Ryanair has officially launched a subsidiary airline called Malta Air, which will operate out of Malta using a fleet of six aircraft and which will increase to ten over the next three years.  The first aircraft (B738, 9H-QAA, MSN 44782) was registered last night, with the airline aiming to carry five million passengers within the first five years.

Addressing a press conference at Auberge de Castille this afternoon, Ryanair CEO M. O’Leary said it was a proud and auspicious day for the group, adding that the investment in the new airline represented an investment in Malta.

He described the negotiations that led up to the agreement as "the toughest and most difficult" negotiations he was a part of in the last 13 years, adding that the group would be investing up to $1 billion in Malta through the venture. 

Asked whether the name and colour scheme resembled that of the national airline too closely, O'Leary said it could only add to Air Malta's potential sales.  "Ryanair does not fly to Heathrow for example, but Air Malta does.  So anyone looking to purchase a flight to London via Ryanair services will then encounter the Maltese airline," he said.

The new airline will be taking on the 62 routes Ryanair currently operates out of Malta and will be looking to grow its network beyond that.

In addition to the aircraft that will be operated by Malta Air, the airline will be registering more than 50 other aircraft to Malta’s aircraft register.

Tourism Minister K. Mizzi insisted that the new airline would compliment Air Malta rather than compete with the national airline as some might think.  "We welcome Ryanair's commitment to operate and grow a fully fledged Malta-based airline which will contribute in a large way to the country’s development," he said.

Prime Minister J. Muscat said that the new Ryanair Malta-based airline will complement the services of Air Malta.  "Despite the scaremongering, Air Malta has not just survived but registered its first surplus in two decades.  Welcome Malta Air and long live Air Malta,” he said.

In a statement published following the signing, the Civil Aviation Directorate within Transport Malta said Malta Air had been awarded an Air Operator Certificate and an Air Operator License to become the 37th airline registered in Malta.  (Source: maltatoday.com.mt, 11-Jun-2016)

Air Malta adds Tbilisi scheduled charter in 3Q19

Air Malta in the 3rd quarter of 2019 plans to introduce new scheduled charter service to Georgia, with the addition of Malta-Tbilisi route. From 4-Jul-19 to 19-Sep-19, Airbus A320 aircraft will operate this route once a week on Thursdays.

KM4280 MLA 0040 – 0630 TBS
KM4281 TBS 0720 – 0930 MLA

(Source: routesonline.com, 10-Jun-2019)

Air Malta's flight to London-Heathrow diverts to Paris-Orly

An Air Malta Airbus A320-200 (9H-AEQ) operating flight KM-106, from Malta IAP and London-Heathrow (U.K.), had to divert to Paris-Orly (France) this afternoon after the crew report a medical emergency on board.  The flight then continued to London-Heathrow, reaching destination with a delay of two hours.  (Source: flightradar24.com, 8-Jun-2019)

VistaJet’s mammoth order of the Global 7500 sets out major growth plans

VistaJet has topped the worldwide order book for the new Bombardier Global 7500, ordering over 30 of the aircraft as it looks to continue its massive growth in the global private jet market.  The move represents a statement of intent for the Maltese brand, with the new aircraft expected to arrive into service in the third quarter of 2019.

Both VistaJet owner T. Flohr and COO I. Moore have described the introduction of the Global 7500 as a “game changer” for the business, with Flohr seeing the purchase as a major growth factor for the brand as it heads into 2020.  The Swiss billionaire believes the aircraft will take VistaJet two years ahead of its rivals, stating in his recent interview with CNBC that the Global 7500 "ticks all the boxes to change the industry."  (Source: aeronauticsonline.com, 6-Jun-2019)

Air Malta's flight to Frankfurt diverts to Munich

An Air Malta Airbus A320-200 (9H-AEQ) operating flight KM-328, between Malta IAP and Frankfurt (Germany) had to divert to Munich (Germany) this evening due to a severe thunderstorm over Frankfurt.  Due to the inclement weather and airport night ban limitations, the flight didn't continued to Frankfurt.  Consequently, return flight KM-329 to Malta had to be cancelled.  (Source: flightradar24.com, 7-Jun-2019)

Malta IAP releases traffic results for May-19

In May, more than 670,000 passengers shuttled between Malta Int'l Airport and one of the destinations connected to the air terminal. This translates into a growth of 4.8% in passenger traffic on the same month last year.

This increase in passenger movements was observed in line with a 4.2% increase in aircraft movements stemming from a summer schedule offering improved connectivity.  While seat capacity grew by 5.3%, airlines operating from Malta IAP were successful in maintaining a healthy seat load factor of 80.2% for the month of May.

The top contributors to passenger traffic through Malta IAP were the United Kingdom (+1.1%), Italy (+4.1%), Germany (+0.3%), France (+4.3%) and Spain (+15.3%), all of which registered varying levels of growth.

The airport's two biggest markets are being served by a total of six new routes this summer, these being Exeter, Cardiff, Perugia, Lamezia, Verona and Genoa.  While the first four routes were launched in April, the first flights from Verona and Genoa were welcomed earlier this week.

May results have brought year-to-date traffic up to 2.5 million passenger movements.  (Source: maltairport.com, 6-Jun-2019)

Hi Fly adds A319 to its Maltese AOC

Registration:		9H-TLS
ICAO Mode-S:		4D21DF
Construction No.:		2662
Aircraft Type:		Airbus A319-100
Operator:		Hi Fly Ltd.
Notes:		ex 5B-DCU

Volotea launches new service Genoa-Malta

Volotea has launched today direct flights between Genoa (Italy) and Malta IAP.  The first scheduled flight, operated with Boeing 717-200 (EI-EWI), landed at Malta IAP at 2110lt (V7-1660).  The aircraft departed after turnaround to Genoa at 2217lt (V7-1661).  Volotea will be operating this service once a week, on Wednesdays.  (5-Jun-2019)

Corporate Flight Training to start operating in Malta

The British Corporate Flight Training (CFT) company, which provides training for air crews, is to start operating in Malta.  The Civil Aviation Directorate within the Malta Transport Authority has certified the company to enable it to start its operations from Malta.

CFT, which operates from Luton airport, had been chosen as the top British company offering this type of training.  The company specialises in training for operators of commercial aviation, issues certificates for air crews, and also provides training for European airlines.

CFT's Head of Training, Y. Milner, stated that it was a natural  progression for the company to move to Malta, as a result of the continued growth of the aviation industry in the country.  (Source: tvm.com.mt, 5-Jun-2019)

TAG Aviation adds Challenger 350 to its Maltese AOC

Registration:		9H-JLG
ICAO Mode-S:		4D21F3
Construction No.:		20670
Aircraft Type:		Bombardier Challenger 350 (CL35)
Operator:		TAG Aviation (Malta) Ltd.
Notes:		ex HB-JLG

easyJet's flight from Southend to Malta diverts to Rome

An easyJet Airbus A320-200neo (G-UZHS) operating flight U2-7431, from London-Southend (U.K.) to Malta Int'l Airport, had to divert to Rome-Fiumicino (Italy) this afternoon after the crew report a medical emergency on board.  The flight then continued to Malta, reaching destination with a delay of 70-mins.  (Source: flightradar24.com, 4-Jun-2019)

Qatar Airways launches new service Doha-Malta

Qatar Airways has launched today direct flights between Doha-Hamad IAP (Qatar) and Malta IAP.  The first scheduled flight, operated with Airbus A320-200 (A7-AHP), landed at Malta IAP at 1313lt (QR-383).  The aircraft was welcomed by a celebratory water arch from Malta IAP's fire and rescue team.  The aircraft departed again to Doha at 1753lt (QR-384).  Qatar Airways will be operating this service daily in the summer season.  (4-Jun-2019)

Volotea launches new service Verona-Malta

Volotea has launched today direct flights between Verona (Italy) and Malta IAP.  The first scheduled flight, operated with Airbus A319-100 (EC-MUU), landed at Malta IAP at 1239lt (V7-1874).  The aircraft departed after turnaround to Verona at 1329lt (V7-1875).  Volotea will be operating this service once a week on Tuesdays.  (4-Jun-2019)