Emirates Airline is sponsoring a new Malta Journalism Award (MJA) category – the Best Overseas Assignment Award – in this year’s edition of the MJA, organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM).

The finalists of the Best Overseas Assignment of the 16th edition of the MJA are Julia Farrugia together with Joe Cachia, Joseph Fava, Pablo Micallef and Charles Ahar (from Super 1), George Scicluna together with Marion Zammit and Alvin Scicluna (from TVM) and Doris Zammit (from TVM). The winner of the Best Overseas Assignment category will be announced during the Awards Presentation ceremony to be held in November 2006.

Held for the first time this year, the Best Overseas Assignment category recognises the best examples of foreign reportage by Malta’s journalists abroad. The winner will be presented with the category trophy, designed by a Maltese artist, a cash prize of Lm150, as well as two Emirates Airline return business class tickets to Dubai, including three nights’ accommodation in a four-star hotel.

Paul Fleri Soler, Emirates’ Manager for Malta and Cyprus, said: “Malta is the first country where Emirates sponsors a journalism award. These awards support Malta’s national institute of journalists’ drive to further improve quality, and recognise outstanding journalists for their hard work and professionalism. We are proud to be able to support the IGM in these awards since 2004.”

Emirates started operating flights from Malta to Dubai in March 1998. As of last month (September 2006), the airline is flying five times weekly between Dubai and Malta via Larnaca, Cyprus, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, using an Airbus A330-200.

Today Emirates has 85 destinations in 55 countries and has a fleet of over 90 aircraft. On average, Emirates is receiving a new aircraft every month and by 2012 it will be the world’s largest long-haul airline.