EasyJet, which calls itself Europe’s leading airline, appears to have lost interest in Malta, The Malta Independent on Sunday has learnt.

Nonetheless, industry sources said negotiations have not been cut off completely.

Last August, EasyJet had submitted an application to operate from London Luton and Mulhouse-Basel. The airline had kept a very low profile compared to competitors Ryanair, which were negotiating with the Maltese government during the same period.

Minister for Tourism and Culture Francis Zammit Dimech had said EasyJet wanted to operate from Gatwick, but the government could not provide the airline with market support to operate from this major airport, as it is not one of the underserved routes.

Tourism authorities have been following the situation closely for the past four to five months and while no discussions with the airline are ongoing at present, the government wants to make sure it does not lose any business, the sources added.

In fact, the government is currently negotiating with Spanish low cost carrier, Click Air. The Catalan company recently announced that it will be flying to Malta from Barcelona this summer. Industry sources told this newspaper that despite Click Air’s interest in the Malta route it did not participate in MIA’s second scheme and government is in negotiation with the airline’s management.