Ivan Lo Bello and Confindustria (social), Claudio Brachino (journalism), Irene Grandi (music) and Massimo Boldi (cinema and TV) won Sicily’s ‘Premio Top Sprint – Omaggio alla Sicilianita’, at the annual event that awards Sicilian personalities who have successfully promoted Sicilian culture in some way, and others who have distinguished themselves in their profession.
The ‘Siciliani Nel Mondo’ prize was presented to Giovanni Pennisi, director of the Port Authority of Townsville, Australia.
Air Malta once again participated in this, the 18th edition, as it has done for the last 14 years.
The awards were presented during a gala evening, that included fashion, music, and cabaret performances at the Teatro Metroplitan in Catania earlier this month. The show’s madrina this year was Luisa Corna. Celebrity guests included Paolo Migone of the TV show Zelig.
Air Malta, which in 1995 won the Top Sprint award for “its fundamental role in cementing the economic links between the two islands” invited singer Ludwig to participate and perform during the show. The airline’s commitment to promote Malta and Maltese talent overseas has seen various Maltese singers participating in past editions of the show. These included J. Anvil, Julie and Ludwig, Ira Losco, Fabrizio Faniello, Olivia Lewis, Charlene and Natasha, Leontine, Mike Spiteri, Claudette Pace, Lawrence Gray, Ali &, Lis and Mark Tonna.
Throughout the years the show has awarded various personalities and associations including, Air Malta, Ezio Greggio, Jerry Cala’, Pippo Baudo, Emilio Fede, Michele Cucuzza, Ficarra & Picone, Carlo Verdone, Vincenzo Modica, Toto’ Antibo, Giucas Casella, Manilo Dovi, Gianni Bella, Anna Valle, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Leo Gullotta, I Pooh, Nino Frassica, Franco Zeffirelli, Damiano Damiani, Carmen Consoli, Gerardina Trovato, Ornella Muti, Lamberto Sposini, Manuela Arcuri and others.
For more information visit the site www.topsprint.it
Air Malta continues
expanding in Sicily
Air Malta has always been committed to the Sicilian route and for over 25 years has offered a year round operation between Catania and Malta. The airline also operates the Palermo route in the summer months.
Last summer Air Malta continued to expand in Sicily by linking it to various destinations around Europe and North Africa. After the successful launch of the airline’s Catania-London (Gatwick) flight three years ago in May 2004, Air Malta recently started direct flights from Catania to Geneva, Munich, and Casablanca.
In the last financial year (April 2006-March 2007), Air Malta carried 70,000 passengers on the Catania-Malta route and 32,000 passengers on the Catania-London (Gatwick) route.
Talking about Air Malta’s operations from Sicily, Noel Galea, the airline’s manager in Sicily said, “Air Malta has always viewed the Sicilian market as a natural extension of Malta’s small market. Throughout the years the airline’s flight schedule has encouraged cultural, commercial and tourist exchanges between the two islands. Sicily, and especially Catania, is one of the most important destinations for the airline, with around 30,000 Maltese visiting the island last year. Air Malta has also offered Sicilians the opportunity to travel to Malta and connect with Air Malta’s extensive network of around 45 destinations in Europe and North Africa.”
Carmen Mallia was guest of Air Malta