Nyheder

  
 
 
 
 
PRESS RELEASE                                                            
  
Press Release Issued by the Government of Malta as the principal shareholder of Air Malta p.l.c.        
 
Ref: 24 - 2023 EN  
Date: Monday, 2 October 2023
                                                                                                
 
New National Airline for Malta Announced 
 
 
Prime Minister Robert Abela and Minister for Finance and Employment, Clyde Caruana, today announced the establishment of a new national airline for the Maltese Islands.
 
The new company will be called KM Malta Airlines p.l.c.  and will commence operations on 31 March 2024, subject to the new airline obtaining the necessary authorizations from the Maltese Civil Aviation Directorate. The new airline will, at inception, have the Government of Malta as its sole shareholder.  
 
Prime Minister Abela reiterated Malta's commitment to maintaining a national airline with a sustainable and realistic business model. He emphasized that the forthcoming national airline would diligently implement a five-year business plan. He earmarked March 31, 2024, as the commencement date for the new national airline, thus ensuring its viability. The Prime Minister assured that the airline would retain its current workforce, fleet size, and continue serving 17 important routes. He stressed the importance of connectivity for Malta, situated in the heart of the Mediterranean, and highlighted how the new national airline would continue to be a key player in Malta's tourism industry.
 
Minister Caruana explained that the Government of Malta and the European Commission have been engaged in complex discussions and negotiations.   
 
As it would not have been possible for Air Malta to become viable without continued state subsidies, in agreement with the European Commission government decided to establish a new airline built on a realistic business model underpinned by a sustainable long-term strategy.   
 
Minister Caruana stated, “throughout our discussions and negotiations with the European Commission I have always insisted on the importance of our country to have a national airline. We consider our national airline to be a critical part of the infrastructure of our Islands and the air connectivity the national airline provides is inextricably linked to the economic growth and success of the Maltese Islands. In the absence of a solution for the capitalization of Air Malta p.l.c. within the parameters of EU state aid rules it has been decided to establish a new airline from a clean sheet – a new airline that builds on the many strengths of Air Malta but with a strong focus on long-term financial sustainability.”  
 
Minister explained that significant work was undertaken with international industry experts, to develop a credible five-year business plan that was also shared with the European Commission.   
 
The business plan for the new airline is based on two central drivers – an efficient network and a well-planned fleet. With the network and fleet determined, it was possible to shape a commercial strategy that serves customers well, while ensuring the financial sustainability of the business.
 
The route network has been designed by industry-leading experts, SABRE for optimal commercial efficiency connecting Malta to the capital cities and primary airports of mainland Europe and beyond. The new airline will initially operate a total of 17 routes, with increased frequencies added on some existing mature routes to maximise aircraft utilisation and optimise commercial performance.  This organic point-to-point network will be supported by existing and new codeshare partnership agreements with major airlines operating from key European transit hubs, which provide important connections onto their long-haul international services. The core network will continually be reviewed to identify new opportunities commercial growth.  
 
The right commercial mix is equally important. Based on full customer segmentation, the new airline will present a fully unbundled product offering with economy and premium services, based on analysis which indicated a clear demand for premium and premium economy class flights serving Malta.
 
The new airline will operate a single type aircraft fleet of eight Airbus 320NEOs, in a two-class configuration with a flexible premium-class cabin averaging 168 total saleable seats with up to 36 premium class seats. Importantly, these modern fuel-efficient aircraft          offer           superior     operating                  economics and            better environmental performance with reduced CO₂ emissions per passenger and noise pollution. In line with industry best practice, the fleet will comprise a mixed owned and leased ownership structure for aircraft and spare engines. 
 
Clyde Caruana said, “we also expect the new airline to prioritise its commitment to sustainability. This will mean aligning its policies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Malta’s Sustainable Development Plan 2050, which set out our long-term aspirations and priorities for sustainable development and to take the necessary measures to comply with the requirements of the EU Green Deal and Fit for 55 policy objectives to mitigate its environmental impacts.”
 
In closing Minister Caruana thanked everyone who worked on the new strategic plan “this is a realistic and exciting roadmap for the future of our new national airline. The successful implementation of this plan and the establishment of a sound airline business is good for the Maltese Islands, its people and its economy. It also enhances our future opportunities for aviation development and economic growth.
 
“It is now important that we get behind this plan and commit to making it work.”  
 
Air Malta will cease operations on 30 March 2024, but will continue to operate as planned all its flights up to 30 March 2024. Customers can continue to book and purchase tickets as normal and Air Malta will honour all tickets for flights up to 30 March 2024.  Flights with travel dates 31 March 2024 and after will be operated by the new airline.
 
Air Malta will refund customers the total cost of any tickets already issued with travel dates on or after 31 March 2024. Refunds are guaranteed by the Government of Malta as the principal shareholder of Air Malta. From 1 December 2023 customers whose tickets are refunded by Air Malta as part of this transition, will have the opportunity to book the same flights with the new airline.  
 
Further timely communications will be issued by Air Malta in due course.  
 
 
 
Further Information: 
 
David Curmi
Executive Chairman Air Malta p.l.c.
SkyParks Malta International Airport, 
Luqa LQA 4000 
Malta
 
T: +356 2299 9327
E: david.curmi@airmalta.com
 
 
 
Isabel Collins Fereday Head of Corporate Communications Air Malta p.l.c.
SkyParks Malta International Airport, 
Luqa LQA 4000 
Malta
 
T: +356 2299 9345
E: isabel.fereday@airmalta.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 

CUSTOMER BOOKINGS

 

1. Will existing Air Malta customer bookings be honoured? 

 
Air Malta will continue to operate flights up to and including 30 March 2024. All existing and new tickets still to be purchased for travel up to 30 March 2024 will continue to be fully valid and honoured for travel.
 

2. What happens to customer bookings for flights on or after 31 March 2024?

 
All bookings for flights on Air Malta for travel on or after 31 March 2024 will be cancelled and Air Malta will refund customers the full cost (including taxes) of any tickets  already issued with travel dates on or after 31 March 2024.  
 
Air Malta tickets for travel on or after 31 March 2024 will not be transferred to the new airline.  
 

3. Will customers be refunded for their cancelled flights? 

 
Yes. Air Malta will refund customers the full cost (including taxes) of any tickets already issued with travel dates on or after 31 March 2024. Refunds are guaranteed by the Government of Malta as the principal shareholder of Air Malta p.l.c.
 

4. How can customers apply for the refunds for their cancelled flights?
   1. For bookings made directly with Air Malta customers may:
      • send an email to refundrequest@airmalta.com; or
      • write to Air Malta p.l.c. at Skyparks Business Centre, Level 2, Malta International Airport, Luqa, requesting the refund; or
      • complete a Refund Request Form at the Air Malta Office at the Malta International Airport (Departures Terminal).  

 
              Customers should include the Air Malta reservations code in all communications.
 

2. For flights booked through a travel agent, customers should contact their travel agent to submit a refund request to Air Malta on their behalf.

 
 

5. From when can customers apply for refunds? 

             Customers can apply for refunds from 1 November 2023.

6. Can customers make another booking for flights on or after 31 March 2024?  

            Yes. From 1 December 2023 customers may book any flights operated by the new             airline.   
 

7. Will Air Malta rebook customers on connecting flights with other airlines in the case of the cancelled bookings?

No. Air Malta will not rebook customers on connecting flights and such bookings must be carried out by the customer.
For connecting flights booked through a travel agent, customers should contact their travel agent.  
 

8. Can customers whose bookings were cancelled rebook on the new airline at the same price?

 
Ticket prices for the new airline are completely unrelated to Air Malta ticket prices. There is the possibility that some prices may be lower or higher depending on the date of travel.

9. When will customers be able to book flights with the new airline for travel effective 31 March 2024?

 
From 1 December 2023 customers will be able to book flights with the new airline for travel dates on or after 31 March 2024.
 

10. From where will customers be able to purchase tickets for flights with the new airline?

 
Customers will be able to book flights with the new airline through all the normal airline distribution channels including the website of new airline, travel agents, the call centre, online booking platforms etc.
The website of the new airline will be available on 1 December 2023.
 

11. What happens to codeshare bookings for travel effective 31 March 2024?

 
All codeshare bookings either made through Air Malta on another airline, or vice-versa by another airline on Air Malta will have to be cancelled. Customers should contact the issuing airline of the ticket for more details.
 

12. Will customers who have outstanding flight delay or baggage claims with Air Malta still be paid?

 
Yes. All legally compliant claims will be fully honoured by Air Malta. Payments will be processed as quickly as possible.

13. What happens if I am booked through a Group Booking?

 
Air Malta will be aware of your group booking and the Air Malta Group Sales department will be in contact directly with the Group Organiser.
 

FLYPASS LOYALTY PROGRAM

 

1. What happens to the current Air Malta Flypass Loyalty Program?

 
The Flypass Loyalty Program of Air Malta p.l.c will be closed and will not be transferred to the new airline. Air Malta p.l.c. will pay Flypass account holders a monetary value of all unclaimed miles on all active Flypass accounts as at 29 February 2024.  
 

2. When will the Flypass Loyalty Program close?

 
The Air Malta Flypass Loyalty Program will cease for earning and redemption of miles by 29 February 2024.
 

3. What happens to any unused miles of the existing Air Malta Flypass Loyalty Program?

 
Customers who have accrued miles can continue to redeem them until 29 February 2024, for travel by 30 March 2024. Thereafter, Air Malta p.l.c. will pay Flypass account holders a monetary value of all unclaimed miles on all active Flypass accounts as at 29 February 2024.   
 

4. How much will customers receive for unclaimed miles?  

 
The monetary value of unclaimed miles will be communicated by Air Malta to Flypass active account holders in due course.  
 
 

5. How can customers make a booking to use their accrued miles?

 
Customers may continue to contact the Flypass team either via email on Flypass.airmalta@airmalta.com or call on +356 2599 1239.
 

6. Do existing Flypass members of Air Malta have to sign up for a new Rewards Program of the new airline?

 
Yes. Customers will have the opportunity to enroll for the new Rewards Program of the new airline details of which will be communicated in the coming weeks.   
 

7. When will the new Rewards Program of the new airline be available?

 
The new airline will launch a new easy to use community-based Rewards Program to strengthen its customer value proposition.
 
Enrolment in the Rewards Program of the new airline will start on 1 December 2023. Further details will be communicated in the coming weeks.    
 

8. Are current Flypass booked tickets still valid?  

 
Any tickets booked using Flypass KMiles will continue to be valid and honoured, for flights up to 30 March 2024.
 

9. What happens to flights purchased through the Flypass Loyalty Program for travel dates on or after 31 March 2024?

 
Customers who have purchased tickets by redeeming miles from the Flypass Loyalty Program for travel dates on or after 31 March 2024 will have their tickets cancelled and the relevant miles credited to the respective Flypass account.  
 
The Flypass Loyalty Program of Air Malta p.l.c. will be closed and Air Malta will pay the monetary value of all unclaimed miles on all active Flypass accounts as at 29 February 2024.