The article “Ryanair launches new route from Dublin to Malta” (TMID, 9 February) was featured prominently on the front page, thereby providing some free advertising to Ryanair.

Nowhere does the article clearly mention that these flights are being subsidised by our (the Maltese taxpayer’s) money. That is, every time a passenger boards one of these Ryanair Malta flights, you and I are actually paying Ryanair for the privilege of accepting that passenger.

In fact, MHRA president is quoted as saying that the new service is “another step in the process of opening up the Maltese islands to low-cost carriers”, thereby furthering the impression that the Maltese authorities are somehow not allowing Ryanair, or any other airline, to open up routes to Malta.

For the benefit of your readers, any EU airline can start operating to Malta whenever it wishes. That is the simple truth. Not mentioning this plain fact is a disservice to your readers.

Romano Cassar

Naxxar