Air Malta launches scheduled services to Tarbes Pyrenees/Lourdes Airport
Air Malta will start operating a twice weekly scheduled service to the enchanting French town of Tarbes/Lourdes every Monday and Friday during summer as from 29 June. The new route was announced by Air Malta’s chairman Dr Charles Mangion during the opening of Amitex, the yearly travel fair organised at MFCC.
“Today we are launching yet another scheduled service – our 15th new route to Tarbes/Lourdes in France. We started operating to this French town as a charter destination in March 1988, exactly 30 years ago, and have operated this route incessantly as a charter service throughout these years. We are thus celebrating this important anniversary by offering this route as a scheduled service this summer in cooperation with our partner Britannia Travel,” Dr Mangion announced.
Paul Sies, Air Malta’s chief Commercial officer added: “Tarbes/Lourdes is a very sought after and known destination and regarded as a place of worship and pilgrimage, however, it has much more to offer – it’s a gateway to the Pyrenees, it’s not too far from Toulouse and possibly even more interesting is that it is a gateway to the north of Spain. For the past 30 years we have carried an average of around 6,000 passengers each year to and from Lourdes on our charter services and the change to a scheduled one is intended to increase this traffic especially since it has some good connections to other Air Malta destinations like Catania which will bring us a step further in the connect model we are building. Our Lourdes service is another step towards a successful growth strategy which certainly marks an important milestone for Air Malta. Air Malta’s Commercial team is working very hard to make this growth possible and we are confident that the current plans and projections will bear fruit by increasing travel connectivity to the islands and generating new inbound travel.”
Minister of Tourism Dr Konrad Mizzi added: “Religious tourism is one of the growing trends in travel and tourism. I am happy to note that Air Malta is now in a position to offer this route as a scheduled service. This is a welcome addition to Air Malta’s flight schedule and I look forward to see the airline secure more business and seek more opportunities to ensure further successes in order to be the Airline of the Mediterranean.”
Located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, Lourdes is a place of spirituality and considered as the most healing shrine in the world surrounded by a magnificent rural setting. It is one of the most important destinations for pilgrimage and religious tourism which makes it the second most important centre of tourism in France. The region is renowned for its magnificent natural heritage, interesting museums that will take travellers through the history of the town and the historical monument of the 1,000year-old Le Chateau fort de Lourdes. The Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes has 22 places of worship including the famous Grotto of Massabielle and the Basilica of the Rosary.
Visiting Tarbes, situated north of Lourdes, is a must. Renowned for beautiful public gardens, a visit to this spectacular place will take any traveller into a magical place full of various tree species, lovely pathways and wonderful green spaces decorated with beautiful monuments and interesting statues. Tarbes is definitely full of hidden charms like the Betharram Caves, considered as the most beautiful in Europe.
From Tarbes travellers can easily reach Toulouse, the fourth largest city in France, home to two world Unesco heritage sites and Centre of the European Aerospace Industry. While strolling and exploring this dynamic city it is impossible not to notice the unique pinkish terracotta architecture which decorates numerous historical places. Toulouse is a city with a rich cultural heritage which covers 2,000 years of history.
The proximity of Lourdes to the northern Spanish region will give travellers the opportunity to visit intriguing locations in the beautiful surroundings of San Sebastian, a renowned resort town with lovely beaches and the cobbled old town, Bilbao, synonyms for Fine Art museums and Vitoria Gastiez, famous for its Gothic Style Santa Maria Cathedral.
Customers can book flights through www.airmalta.com, by calling Air Malta’s Call Centre on +356 2166 2211 from Malta or 0826 102223 from France, from Air Malta sales office at Malta International Airport or from travel agents in Malta and France. Call charges may apply.