Malta’s so-called low cost revolution has continued to gather steam after the inception of a Malta route by EasyJet, the UK’s leading low cost carrier, on Sunday.

While EasyJet had initially been touted, along with Ryanair which began operations to Malta in March 2006, as a potential major low cost operator eyeing a Malta route in late 2005 and early 2006 before the government opened up the market to such operators, the airline has now found its way into the Maltese market, one could say, through the back door.

The Luton-based low cost carrier found itself with a Malta route by default when it bought out the routes to Malta from British Airways GB Airways franchise last October.

As such, EasyJet will over the peak summer be operating 10 flights a week between London’s Gatwick airport and Malta International Airport, as well as daily flights from Manchester. The services will be watered down to a certain extent during the shoulder months, when the airline will run daily flights from Gatwick while flights from Manchester will be operated four times a week.

Sunday’s first EasyJet flight to Malta was greeted by jets of water from two waiting fire engines, which formed an arch over the runway as the plane taxied into position. The 160-plus passengers on board the inaugural flight were, meanwhile, given bottles of Maltese wine and toys, thanks to the Malta Tourism Authority, by women dressed in traditional Maltese garb. The plane’s crew were welcomed with flowers.

The advent of low cost carriers, several of which have begin operating to Malta since early 2006, has been considered one of the saving graces of Malta’s tourism industry. The sector had witnessed a disastrous year in 2006, only to have turned around in 2007 when the country witnessed record tourism results.

National airline Air Malta had responded to the introduction of low cost carriers by slashing many of its own ticket prices so as to compete with the new market force.

Spanish low cost carrier Vueling began operations from Madrid yesterday, while two Italian low cost carriers - Air One and Volare - are to also begin operating to Malta in the near future, joining the likes of Ryanair, EasyJet, Clickair and German Wings.