These bases will be the first outside the airline’s home base in Malta. It has been Air Malta’s long-term goal to expand into the European market, and as Malta’s accession into the EU became a reality, the opportunity arose.

The regional programme will run until the end of October and sees base operations from Manchester and Birmingham as well as other regional airports to a number of destinations in Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Two dedicated Airbus A320 aircraft in 180-seat configuration and Air Malta colours operate the series and Air Malta’s UK-based engineering personnel, cabin crew and flight crew, support the flights.

Commercial aspects are being handled with the assistance of Meridian Aviation UK Ltd, Air Malta’s UK-based charter consolidator agent, and Air Malta has also signed a cooperation agreement with Excel Airways.

Air Malta has been flying to Manchester, Birmingham and London since operations commenced in 1974 and the recent expansion of the direct London-Catania route is progressing well. Air Malta has made definitive plans to continue these flights.

The UK base is expected to be just the start of similar styled operations for Air Malta. Apart from building on the UK experience, and having further aircraft and personnel based here, Air Malta is actively evaluating the opening of similar bases elsewhere in Europe for next winter and summer 2005.

Addressing the media at Manchester Airport, Air Malta’s chief operating officer Joe Cappello said: “Today, as a result of Malta’s EU membership – yet without losing its identity as Malta’s premier flag bearer – Air Malta can start to grow its operations beyond its important, but restricted, home base in Malta”.

Mr Cappello continued: “We reacted immediately when presented with the opportunity of operating a series of summer charter flights from the UK to various destinations in Europe”.