Unlike so many airlines who are struggling, Air Malta is forging ahead and making real progress.

Until now air travel to Malta has been limited by how many airports it could have access to. Now, by signing a Codeshare Agreement with the bmi line, Air Malta has significantly increased its UK market share.

By using combined Air Malta/bmi codeshares Air Malta now has access to most regional UK airports, as well as bmi medium-haul airports in the Middle East and CIS countries (Commonwealth of Independent States - Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other former Soviet countries). Both companies will now share their codes, thus vastly increasing market share without massive capital output. A very clever move!

So, Air Malta passengers can now expect to travel to and from both major London airports – Gatwick and Heathrow, plus a number of regional airports.

Air Malta's chief officer (commercial) said, "We are continuing to enhance the network of destinations offered to and from Malta… (and expect)… more tourism arrivals from the UK… with our codeshare partner, bmi… offering easier flight connections to Malta." Of course it also gives more flexible connections for Maltese travelling to the UK.

Passengers for both airlines will now have a much greater choice of airports and times. It also means that countries that do not yet have direct access to Malta can now use expertly tailored connections offered by both companies.

Air Malta also codeshares with Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, and plans to enter into negotiations with others, so we hope long-haul flights will become available in the future. For such a tiny, but perfectly-formed island, Malta is quickly establishing an international appeal, through Air Malta and its innovative approach to air travel marketing.

Notes:
Air Malta has around 50 schedules destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean, using an existing fleet of 13 Airbus, plus brand new Airbus introduced this year. When it first started out, Air Malta had 53,500 customers a year – this has risen to 2.1 million a year since 1974. 2009 is Air Malta's 35th Anniversary. I wish them well!

© Barry Napier, January 2009
Barry Napier, Hotel/Travel Journalist & Tourism Consultant
barry.napier@ntlworld.com
Contacts:
Air Malta: Stephen.a.gauci@airmalta.com and www.airmalta.com

bmi: www.bmimediacentre.com and www.flybmi.com