Air CM Global adds Learjet 60 to its Maltese registered fleet

Registration:		9H-SAN
ICAO Mode-S:		4D21FB
Construction No.:		60-335
Aircraft Type:		Learjet 60XR
Operator:		Air CM Global Ltd.
Notes:		ex TC-MEN

Air Malta A320 rejects take-off from Malta IAP due to a bird strike

An Air Malta Airbus A320-200 (9H-AEP), operating flight KM-662 from Malta IAP (Malta) to Palermo (Sicily, Italy), was accelerating for take-off from Malta's RWY 31 at 1249lt when crew rejected take-off due to a bird strike.  The aircraft slowed safely and returned to the apron to be checked by the engineers.  The flight to/from Palermo was subsequently cancelled, since one of the engines suffered considerable damage. (Source: Air Malta & flightradar24.com, 27-Sep-2019)

Air Malta's flight from Gatwick delayed after plane is damaged by jetty bridge

An Air Malta aircraft has been stuck at London-Gatwick (U.K.) after being hit by a passenger bridge.  The airline said the incident happened this afternoon and involved an aircraft which was due to operate flight KM-117 from London-Gatwick to Malta.  The incident occurred when the jetty bridge malfunctioned and made contact with the aircraft's fuselage.  The aircraft was stationary at the time of the incident. The aircraft is being checked by engineers.  The flight has been delayed but no other delays are expected, the airline said.  KM-117 was due to arrive in Malta at 1600lt.  (Source: timesofmalta.com, 25-Sep-2019)

Avion Express Malta Airbus A320 returns to Oslo due to an engine problem

On 21st September, an Avion Express Malta Airbus A320-200 (9H-AMA), performing flight DY-1736, on behalf of Norwegian Air Shuttle, from Oslo (Norway) to Palma Mallorca (Spain), was climbing out of Oslo when the crew stopped the climb at about FL260 due to a fuel filter indication (engine CFM56), descended the aircraft to 6000 feet and entered a hold to burn off fuel.  The aircraft landed safely back about two hours after departure. The aircraft returned to service about six hours after landing back.  (Source: avherald.com, 25-Sep-2019)

Air Malta steps in to assist Thomas Cook’s stranded passengers

Air Malta is stepping in to help Thomas Cook's stranded passengers in various countries following the announcement that the British global travel group has ceased trading, cancelled all its flights and suspended its operations.

To minimise inconveniences to stranded passengers and assist the efforts being made by the U.K.'s Civil Aviation Authority, Air Malta has issued a rescue fare of EUR50 per sector available on its flights to/from Amsterdam, Brussels, Birmingham, London Heathrow, Gatwick and Southend, Berlin, Bristol, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, Paris Orly and Charles De Gaulle, Marseille, Lyon, Milan, Rome, Geneva, Zurich, and Vienna.  This price excludes taxes and charges.  Tickets are offered on availability basis and are available only to Thomas Cook's flight ticket holders or package holiday vouchers.

The Maltese Airline is also exploring other initiatives to help affected passengers in this unfortunate circumstance.  Bookings can be made through Air Malta's call centre on +356 21662211 from tomorrow 24th September till Tuesday 15th October with travel open until the end of October 2019.  (Source: Air Malta, 23-Sep-2019)

Air Malta flight from Southend delayed due to bird strike

An Air Malta Airbus A320-200 (9H-AEI), operating flight KM-183 between London-Southend (U.K.) and Malta IAP (Malta), was accelerating for take-off from Southend's RWY 05 at 0934lt when crew rejected take-off due to a possible bird strike.  The aircraft was taxied back to stand to be checked by the engineers.  The flight finally took-off from Southend's RWY 05 at 1436lt reaching Malta IAP with a delay 4-hrs 40-mins on its scheduled time.  (Source: Air Malta & flightradar24.com, 21-Sep-2019)

Air Wing, AFM takes delivery of two former RNLAF's Alouette IIIs for spare parts

The Air Wing of the Armed of Forces of Malta has taken delivery of two former Royal Netherlands Air Force’s SA-316B Alouette III helicopters.  The two helicopters (ex A-247, c/n. 1247; and ex A292, c/n. 1292) arrived in Malta yesterday on a cargo ship at Malta Freeport.  Most probably they will be only used for spare parts, but there is a little chance that one will be up in the air.  (20-Sep-2019)

Air Malta registers its best August traffic results in 45 year's history

Air Malta has registered its best August traffic results in its 45 year's history.  Figures released by airline today show that Air Malta carried almost a quarter of a million (248,358) scheduled and charter passengers during its busiest month of the year.  These results even top by 4,835 passengers (+2%) last year's August record figures.

Commenting on these positive results Air Malta’s Chairman Dr C. Mangion said, "It's great to see these positive results in this challenging market.  We are working hard to improve our Revenue Management, Sales and Distribution processes.  These figures follow the trend we have so far seen this year in that we have continued growing over 2018, yet at a gentler pace.  This year we primarily focused our efforts to improve our operational and commercial performance. 

"A lot has been achieved through the past three years following the increase in the fleet by three brand new 180-seater Airbus A320s and a total of 25 new opened routes.  Today we are flying to 42 destinations.  It wasn’t easy.  A lot of things had to change, and sacrifices done.  This growth is being positively received by our tourism stakeholders who are now again seeing Air Malta as a growing Airline."  (Source: Air Malta, 17-Sep-2019)

Air Malta adds third A320neo to its fleet

Air Malta has taken delivery today at Airbus' Delivery Centre in Hamburg (Germany), of its third dry-leased Airbus A320-200 powered by the new engine option.  Registered 9H-NEC, the aircraft was delivered to Malta IAP this morning, landing at 1207lt as KM-953. (12-Sep-2019)

Air Malta's Malta-Palermo flight delayed for more than 16 hours

About 175 passengers were left in the lurch after a Palermo flight was delayed by more than 16 hours.  The KM-662 Air Malta flight which was scheduled to fly from Malta to Palermo at 05:30 this morning, has been postponed to 22:00 this evening.

In a tweet Air Malta said that the two aircrafts belonging to the fleet have technical faults, one of which was even struck by lightning.  In addition, the company has a shortage of crew members after many reported sick.  (Source: tvm.com, 9-Sep-2019)

Malta IAP releases traffic results for Aug19

The holiday season and a choice of more than 120 destinations made for busy August days at Malta Int'l Airport, with the team welcoming 823,653 passengers by the end of the month. 

This translates into growth of 8.4% over the same month last year.  Growth in passenger numbers was registered on the back of an increase of 5.8% in aircraft movements and a 7.6% increase in seat capacity.

Moreover, seat load factor for August improved marginally over the same month last year to stand at 88.0%.

The airport's top drivers of passenger traffic were the U.K. (+3.1%), Italy (+0.4%), Germany (+24.7%), France (+13.7%) and Spain (+9.3%). 

The solid performance of these markets was fueled by Malta IAP's summer schedule featuring 16 developments, including the introduction of several new routes and improved flight frequencies on a number of existing routes.  (Source: maltairport.com, 6-Sep-2019)

Air Malta relaunches scheduled service Malta-Cairo

Air Malta has relaunched early this morning scheduled service between Malta IAP and Cairo, the capital city of Egypt.  This service was last offered by Air Malta in October 2006.  

The first scheduled flight, operated with Airbus A320-200N (9H-NEB), departed from Malta IAP at 0015lt (KM-710) and the return flight landed at Malta IAP at 0646lt (KM-711).  Air Malta will be operating this service twice weekly, every Thursdays and Sundays.  (2-Sep-2019)