Air Malta, government in collaborative talks with Ryanair
● Airlines discussing partnership to connect Europe and Africa
Air Malta, the government and Ryanair have been in talks to strike a codesharing deal that will see Ryanair bringing passengers to Malta after which they would be transferred to Air Malta for onward travel to African destinations.
The talks over such a deal come at a juncture that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said was crucial for the national airline, which has been struggling to find itself a strategic partner. Although there was no talk of such a partnership being struck with Ryanair, Muscat yesterday said with reference to the talks that “we have a vision for Air Malta, and it is a make or break moment for the airline.”
He also said that Air Malta will be purchasing another aircraft. Muscat spoke about Air Malta being “not only the airline of the Maltese Islands, but of the Mediterranean.”
“We are opening up a new road for Air Malta’s future,” he said.
He said that discussions with Ryanair, if fruitful, would make it a more attractive proposition for linking up with a strategic partner.
“Stressing that this was an important moment for the national airline”, Muscat appealed for cooperation from all stakeholders to help “ensure a future for the company and all who depend upon it.”
Earlier in the day, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi addressed a press conference with Ryanair, which had announced 12 new routes from Malta to Europe, and described this “major investment as a vote of confidence in Malta’s tourism sector,” adding that it “complements the government’s vision to further increase Malta’s connectivity.”
Ryanair and Air Malta are also considering collaboration on sales and marketing initiatives, including leveraging Ryanair’s web presence for sales.
The minister thanked all key stakeholders involved, particularly the Malta Tourism Authority and Malta International Airport, which he said had been crucial for realising this development.
The Ryanair expansion
With the 12 route increase, Ryanair will increase its Malta offering to 54 routes, which are expected to deliver 2.5 million customers a year through Malta Airport next year.
At a press conference yesterday morning, the airline announced a US$500 million investment in a fifth aircraft based in Malta.
The 12 new routes will be to: Aberdeen (2 weekly), Barcelona (4 weekly), Bratislava (2 weekly), Paris Beauvais (2 weekly), Gothenburg (one weekly), Porto (2 weekly), Pescara (2), Seville (2 weekly), Tallinn (one weekly), and, continuing from the winter, Belfast (2 weekly), Naples (2 weekly) and Riga (2 weekly).
The airline also announced more flights to Madrid and Venice Treviso. The new routes bring the total to 54 and a 40% growth in passengers. Ryanair also celebrates a Malta milestone this month, when it will carry its 10 millionth passenger through the Malta International Airport.
Ryanair’s David O’Brien commented yesterday: “We are pleased to launch Ryanair’s Malta summer 2018 schedule, which will be on sale tomorrow, with 54 routes to 18 countries. Ryanair’s summer 2018 schedule includes 12 new routes to Aberdeen, Barcelona, Bratislava, Paris Beauvais, Gothenburg, Porto, Pescara, Seville and Tallinn, and our Belfast, Naples and Riga routes which start next month. Ryanair will base a fifth aircraft in Malta next summer, a total investment of US$500 million.
“To celebrate the launch of Ryanair’s Malta summer 2018 schedule and carrying Ryanair’s 10 millionth customer in Malta this month, we are releasing seats for sale from just €16.99 for travel from October to December which are available for booking until midnight Tuesday (12 September). Since these amazing low prices will be snapped up quickly, customers should log onto www.ryanair.com and avoid missing out.”
Among the benefits Ryanair has introduced for Maltese customers is the ability to now book their holidays as far ahead as October 2018, on lower fares, and enjoy the latest ‘Always Getting Better’ improvements, which include:
Reduced checked-in bag fees – one €25 fee, one 20kg size;
20 Air Europa long-haul routes from Madrid on sale on Ryanair.com;
Connecting flights at Rome Fiumicino and Milan Bergamo with more airports to follow;
A new partnership with Erasmus Student Network offering discounts and a dedicated booking platform;
Alexa voice recognition to search flights, hotels and flight status on the Ryanair.com website.