Air Malta launched its summer 2007 schedule of operations, running from 25 March to 27 October, yesterday, announcing new routes, increasing the frequency of flights and giving an outline of its marketing campaigns

CEO Joe Cappello said the national carrier has increased the number of destinations and frequencies over last summer. As well as operating to three new destinations – Liverpool, Venice and Benghazi – Air Malta will be increasing services to Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Birmingham, Stansted and Rome.

Mr Cappello explained how the Codeshare Agreement with Lufthansa signed in November 2006 will be expanded further. Now Air Malta will fly all German regional routes and through Lufthansa will offer a non-stop direct service from Munich to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. In addition, it will expand its services to and from Frankfurt and Munich airports. Through its agreement, Air Malta will also be introducing a new Catania-to-Munich service.

The airline will be operating new services from Catania to Munich and Geneva. In the peak summer months, Air Malta will also be operating a weekly flight between Reggio Calabria and Barcelona in July, August and September. “Furthermore, Air Malta will be the first airline to operate between Italy and Morocco,” added Mr Cappello.

The CEO also announced that on Thursday the airline received the last A320 aircraft from Airbus.

Thus the Air Malta fleet is now made up of 15 aircraft: five Airbus A319, eight Airbus A320 and two Boeing 737. With an average age of two-and-a-half years, the Air Malta fleet is ranked as one of Europe’s youngest fleets.

Mr Cappello said the carrier has started a marketing campaign during prime time viewing on both Sky News’ UK and International networks. The 30-second advertising feature was produced locally and is available in English and German. It focuses on the Maltese cross, Air Malta’s own corporate symbol, and the Maltese identity. Mr Cappello said that market research had showed that the Maltese cross instils a sense of trust in a brand that has been operating for the past 33 years.

The marketing campaign also covers major European cities such as London, Vienna, Munich, Venice and major European ski resorts.

General manager marketing and product Brian Bartolo spoke about the Flyaway tours, Air Malta’s own all-inclusive package-holiday brochure for the Malta market. New destinations include Liverpool and Venice, while the main attractions will be cruises in the Caribbean and Greek Islands, and the Abruzzo region in Italy.

Mr Cappello said Air Malta has worked hard to improve its product and services as well as its operations. He said the national carrier is committed to remaining the major aviation player in Malta and to offering cargo services to Maltese industry.

He said that Air Malta will be operating 30 extra flights to Rome, including seven day trips, on the occasion of the canonisation of Dun Gorg Preca.