“This season will see the launch of Air Malta’s new product FlexiFly, a new concept of airline ticket pricing on all Air Malta’s scheduled network,” Mr Attard said. FlexiFly is a scheme based on one-way fares and will commence on 1 November 2004. Ticket prices, including business class fares will be reduced substantially.

The lowest one-way introductory fare offered by Air Malta is Lm 17 from Malta to Catania, Palermo or Tunis. Similar fares are also available from all foreign markets served by Air Malta. Mr Attard pointed out that in this way, tourists can also benefit from these bargains. All the fares are exclusive of airport taxes, fees and other charges. An extra advantage to these fares is that they have a maximum validity of 12 months with no minimum stay restrictions.

New value for money holidays are also offered with Flyaway Tours, who have just launched their winter brochure. Attractive offers such as a five-night skiing holiday in Troodos Mountains in Cyprus is being offered at Lm 130, including airfare and transfers. The number of flights to Brussels was extended to four flights weekly to keep up with the increased demand, especially since an increasing number of persons are travelling there regularly. The number of passengers are increasing world-wide, but so are costs including fuel costs. The increasing surcharge does not depend on Air Malta but depends greatly on the oil market, he said. Mr Attard said Air Malta has successfully handled problems which have had a long-term effect on the current situation. He also pointed out that this situation also depends to what extent the market can sustain this increase in fuel prices. Several airline associations are predicting further losses this year in the aviation industry.

This winter Air Malta will be flying with a fleet of 11 aircraft, including the latest Airbus A320 and Airbus A319. “We are in the midst of our fleet roll-over programme with half of the aircraft already delivered,” Mr Attard said. In fact he pointed out that it is “already seeing substantial advantages and major cost savings arising from fleet commonality particularly on maintenance and flight crew performance”.