Already, Malta has seen the benefit of the introduction of low cost carriers, yet we must act if we are to maximize on their potential.

News has emerged that the popular Dublin-based carrier Ryanair wants to expand the number of routes that it operates to and from Malta – yet, as ever, we seem to be procrastinating. One really ponders why.

Ryanair has increased tourist volume to Malta and is well on the way to fulfilling its obligations in reference to arrivals from Dublin, Pisa and Luton. The carrier has already expressed its desire to launch more series from Glasgow, Bristol, Doncaster, Madrid, Bremen, Venice, Trapani and an unidentified airport in Eastern Europe.

Granted, Air Malta uses Glasgow as a dog-leg to put “bums on seats” on the Malta-Newcastle route, so one can understand reluctance in that respect. But what of all these other possibilities that are being offered?

One of the initial worries about low cost airlines was that they would simply be a cheaper alternative to outbound tourists. But figures and statistics have already shown that it is not the case with swelling numbers of holidaymakers coming to Malta from Pisa, Dublin and Luton.

Adding more routes would be a boon. We struggle as it is to get people to come here and we have identified time and time again that the problem is accessibility. The problems stem from the fact that there is not enough choice of airport departure and the fact that the handling and passenger charges are still very expensive when compared to other destinations.

Somehow, as all low cost carriers seem to manage, the few airlines that have started operations in Malta got over that hurdle and have devised a way to make ends meet. But when one cuts costs and makes marginal profits they need volume. When we analyse the situation further – that is exactly the same problem that product Malta is experiencing. We are not getting enough money from tourists because their numbers are dwindling, this is fact. At the same time, the country has been forced to tighten its belt to make ends meet in relation to the tourism industry. So, what is stopping us? While one would seriously have to analyse the effect that low cost carriers have had on Air Malta – prima facie, it seems that the effects are not as adverse as many first feared.

What is needed is more synergy between Air Malta and the government. Our small fleet does not have the capability to serve the need from all of Europe and beyond, it’s very, very clear. Air Malta really shouldn’t even want to do that, it would mean over stretching our resources (as has happened before) and ending up being non-cost effective.

Air Malta should be consulted by the relevant task force and then decisions should be made to allow the low cost airlines to operate any routes which Air Malta (and indeed Malta) feels that it does not want to serve. On a closing note, Ryanair have again been pushing to set up a base of operations here in Malta. This would create jobs and would allow a hub for the airline to service airports and destinations that were previously only a figment of our imagination. Serious thinking needs to be done and it needs to be done fast. Low cost carriers seem to be treating Malta with a lot of goodwill, but make no mistake – their motives are driven by profit. If we fail to act while the going is good – we stand to lose much.