Third Airbus A320neo joins Air Malta fleet

A third brand new 180-seater Airbus A320neo joined Air Malta’s fleet this week and was presented to the public yesterday morning at an event at Malta International Airport.

The aircraft has been registered on the Maltese aircraft register as 9H-NEC and was flown directly from the Airbus facility in Hamburg. The aircraft entered immediately into service last Thursday with flight KM 328/9 to Frankfurt.

The aircraft is the second to be configured according to Air Malta’s specifications and requirements. The cabin interior has been selected to offer 18-inchwide seats where passengers can enjoy more personal space, comfort and leg room. Apart from enhanced facilities, including a more modern look and feel of the cabin, LED lightning and larger luggage storage, the aircraft offers reduced operational costs for Air Malta, especially with its improved fuel efficiency of around 20 per cent. Due to its lower fuel burn rate, the aircraft is capable of longer-range flights of about 10 to 15 per cent. The aircraft is equipped with CFM International LEAP-1A engines.

Speaking at a press conference in front of the aircraft, Air Malta chairman Charles Mangion said: “This aircraft is a welcome addition and another important step forward to continue reducing our fleet’s average age and improve aspects of customer experience, environmental commitment and airline reliability and efficiency. It shows commitment to Air Malta’s growth strategy and a big investment in the airline.”

Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi added: “Air Malta is undergoing a transformation process which includes the shift to brandnew, state-of-the-art Airbus Neo aircraft, growing a route network that now includes over 40 destinations and improving its in-flight services in both economy and business class. The Maltese government is committed to supporting the growth strategy adopted by Air Malta and investment in the airline in the months and years to come.”

Last year, Air Malta embarked on a fiveyear fleet replacement project that will see the airline operate a brand-new Airbus A320neo fleet by the year 2022. The next batch of brandnew aircraft is expected to join the airline’s fleet next year.