The Malta Tourism Authority Office in France, Volotea and the Airport of Bordeaux–Mérignac recently organised a joint press conference announcing the introduction of flights between Bordeaux and Malta. Journalists, bloggers and representatives of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional press attended the event.

Volotea’s flights from Bordeaux to Malta will start on 13th April and will run throughout the entire summer schedule until October 2017. One flight per week will be operated from April to June and September to October, increasing to two flights per week in the months of July and August. An Airbus A319 150-seater will be used throughout the schedule, connect the South-Western French city and Malta International Airport in approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.

The journalists and bloggers present at the press conference were addressed by Mr. Edo Friart, Director International Development Volotea, Mr. Dominic Micallef, MTA Director in France, Mr. Marcello Rudil, Consul of Malta in Bordeaux and Mr. Pascal Personne, Director of Bordeaux Mérignac Airport.

During his presentation Mr. Micallef spoke about the attractions of the Maltese archipelago as well as about Valletta European Capital of Culture 2018.

MTA CEO Mr Paul Bugeja said that “With this new route, Malta will become more accessible to those who live in Bordeaux and the Nouvelle Aquitaine region. A total of 12,000 additional seats are being made available from Bordeaux which will make it easier for tourists from this area of France to discover the diversity which Malta and Gozo have to offer”.

Mr. Bugeja continued by saying that such initiatives aimed at improving connectivity contribute to the strengthening of performance in the French tourism market for the Maltese Islands. After a positive 2016 in which we experienced an increase of 13.2% in arrivals from France, 2017 has also started very well with an increase of 56.2% in French arrivals during the first two months compared to the previous year.