Ryanair proposes new Malta routes

Ryanair is looking at operating flights to Malta from London Luton, Dublin and Pisa.

The Irish low-cost airline has responded to calls from the Maltese government for cheap flights to the Mediterranean island and has submitted proposals for the three new routes.

From London Luton, Ryanair plans to operate a year-round daily service beginning on October 31. From Dublin and Pisa, the carrier hopes to operate three-times weekly links, with the Dublin route starting on February 9 and the Pisa route on October 31.

The new routes will increase competition on flights to Malta and are likely to lead to cheaper prices for passengers.

Currently, passengers have the option of travelling with Air Malta, which flies from UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Newcastle and Bristol, or British Airways.

The Maltese government has called for more affordable flights to attract visitors to the island, where year-on-year tourist numbers fell by more than two per cent over the first six months of 2006.

Ryanair's deputy chief executive, Michael Cawley, commented: "Ryanair is very pleased to respond to the call by the Maltese government to start routes to and from Malta International Airport.

"We believe this proposal is the start of a new era for Maltese tourism."

© Adfero Ltd

Comments

[J J Norman]

The non-stop flight time to Malta is at best 2hr45 and at worst approx 3hr15.

Providing the public with a service to compete with the Air Malta monopoly is long overdue and will almost guarantee an aircraft will be carrying a full passenger load.

I am personally acquainted with at least 40 others who would use Ryanair to Malta on a regular basis but who would never use Air Malta.

If you can eliminate the well-known blatant rifling and theft from passenger baggage (both on arrival and dep from Malta) you will secure a very satisfied customer base.

[christopher h collison]

Great news, not before time. As we live in East Anglia and fly to Malta about three times a year this new service will be ideal. At the moment we have to rely on Air Malta, with it's funny pricing structure.

[C Mallia]

This is brilliant news, which we have been waiting for a long time. We fly to Malta once or twice a year and reluctantly always paid high prices as there wasn't any choice except Air Malta, but now we can fly more frequently with Ryanair and even go for long weekends. We have visited a lot of places in Europe and could never get over how cheap we fly to some places, we have managed to see some wonderful places that normally we would never have see thanks to Ryanair.

[A C McKinlay]

While I agree that it is a good idea for Air Malta to have a bit of competition, I cannot agree with J J Norman's last comment about bagage theft at MIA. Having flown in and out of Malta more than 20 times during the past few years I have never had my luggage interfered with.

[Gillian Collison]

Congratulations to Ryanair. I would like to agree with A C McKinlay that it's good for Air Malta to have some competition,and strongly disagree with J J Norman's comments on theft from passenger's baggage. We have flown Air Malta many time's over the last 25 years and have never experienced any problems.

[simon lord]

I strongly object to the allegations made Mr Horman. I travel to Malta on business monthly and I have never had anthing stolen from my suitcase. Maybe he should be reminded of the reputation of our London airports, namely Heathrow ie Thiefrow, Luton ie Looting etc.

[Patricia Holmes]

I agree with A C MKinlay as regards JJ Norman's comments about thefts from passenger baggage at Luqa airport. I have been travelling to Malta for the past god knows how many years, and have never had anything stolen from my luggage at the airport, or from my personal possessions during my stay. As regards to comments made that one can only travel to Malta by Air Malta, this is not so. There are other airlines which travel this route. PS. We flew to Malta in June last year, with Air Malta for £105 inc taxes, each.