File Photo: Air Malta
The Maltese government has announced the closure of its financially unsustainable airline, Air Malta, effective March 2024. The national carrier will be succeeded by a new entity named KM Malta Airlines, utilizing the same fleet. Prime Minister Robert Abela assures customers of a relatively seamless transition, with only a few unprofitable routes being discontinued. Notably, Air Malta operated 37 routes in 2019, whereas the successor, KM Malta Airlines, will maintain only 17.
To facilitate this transition, Air Malta has taken the step of canceling all flight bookings for travel on or after March 31, 2024. Direct customers have been promptly refunded the entire cost, including taxes, for any tickets issued for travel on or after the specified date. Travel agents, who facilitated bookings for their clients, will also be able to access direct refunds from Air Malta on behalf of their customers.
KM Malta Airlines has already initiated the booking process for its Summer 2024 program. The first phase, available to all travel agents and third-party online booking platforms, commenced on Monday. The second phase, slated to open on December 11, will cater to direct online bookings through the new KM Malta Airlines website and booking platform.
The Summer 2024 schedule for KM Malta Airlines is set to operate from March 31 to October 26, 2024. The airline will service 17 airports across 15 European cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Catania, Dusseldorf, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Lyon, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Prague, Rome, Vienna, and Zurich. While the transition involves certain route adjustments, the government aims to minimize disruptions for passengers during this shift from Air Malta to KM Malta Airlines.
