Ryanair this morning launched its Malta summer 2018 schedule with 12 new routes, including three new summer services, with an additional aircraft to be based in Malta next year.
Ryanair's 54 routes in total will help deliver 2.5 million customers a year through Malta Airport next year.
At a press conference this morning, the airline announced a US$500 million investment in a fifth aircraft based in Malta.
The 12 new routes will be to:
Aberdeen (2 weekly), Barcelona (4 weekly), Bratislava (2 weekly), Paris Beauvais (2 weekly), Gothenburg (one weekly), Porto (2 weekly), Pescara (2), Seville (2 weekly), Tallinn (one weekly), and continuing from the winter: Belfast (2 weekly), Naples (2 weekly) and Riga (2 weekly).
The airline also announced more flights to Madrid and Venice Treviso. The new routes bring the total to 54 and a 40% growth in passengers. Ryanair also celebrates a Malta milestone this month, when it will carry its 10 millionth passenger through the Malta International Airport in September.
Ryanair's David O'Brien commented yesterday, "We are pleased to launch Ryanair's Malta summer 2018 schedule, which will be on sale tomorrow, with 54 routes to 18 countries. Ryanair's summer 2018 schedule includes 12 new routes to Aberdeen, Barcelona, Bratislava, Paris Beauvais, Gothenburg, Porto, Pescara, Seville and Tallinn, and our Belfast, Naples and Riga routes which start next month. Ryanair will base a fifth aircraft in Malta next summer, a total investment of $500m. I am also pleased to note that we have started discussions with Air Malta on potential areas of cooperation.
"To celebrate the launch of Ryanair's Malta summer 2018 schedule and carrying Ryanair's 10 millionth customer in Malta this month, we are releasing seats for sale from just €16.99 for travel from October to December which are available for booking until midnight Tuesday (12 Sep). Since these amazing low prices will be snapped up quickly, customers should log onto www.ryanair.com and avoid missing out."
Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi, in his part, welcomed the expansion, wh8ich is being carried out after discussions with the Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority.
Mizzi described this major investment as a vote of confidence in Malta's Tourism Sector. he also said also looks forward to planned commercial and strategic collaboration between Ryanair and Air Malta.
The Minister thanked all key stakeholders involved, particularly the Malta Tourism Authority and the Malta International Airport.
Maltese customers and visitors can now book their holidays as far out as October 2018, on even lower fares, and enjoy the latest "Always Getting Better" improvements, which include:
- Reduced checked-in bag fees - one €25 fee, one 20kg size
- 20 Air Europa long haul routes from Madrid on sale on Ryanair.com
- Connecting flights at Rome Fiumicino and Milan Bergamo with more airports to follow
- A new partnership with Erasmus Student Network offering discounts & a dedicated booking platform
- Alexa voice recognition to search flights, hotels and flight status on the Ryanair.com website