Low-cost airlines may fly four routes

Flights to Pisa, Dublin, Luton and Mulhouse-Basel could soon be available at give-away prices after two major low-cost airlines applied to operate the routes in return for incentives.

Their offers will start being evaluated on Monday by an ad hoc committee led by the Permanent Secretary in the Tourism Ministry.

Ryanair applied for three of the four routes offered by the government - Pisa, Dublin and Luton - while Easyjet showed interest in providing a service to Luton and Mulhouse-Basel. Easyjet made its bid shortly before the offer came to a close at noon yesterday.

Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech told The Times he expected a decision by the end of September.

"It's a positive step that two major low-cost carriers have responded to the government's call. The submissions will be analysed objectively and meticulously. We now have to establish whether the proposals will be acceptable to the government and the European Commission," he said.

Support schemes totalling Lm1 million were offered in a bid to get airlines to fly to underserved destinations and boost tourism in the winter months. The routes will be operated throughout the year.

Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association president Justin Zammit Tabona said the low-cost airline service needs to start as soon as possible, expressing concern that the evaluation could take up to a month.

"Given the bad tourism situation, I hope those evaluating the offers are flexible enough to come out with an agreement at once. Any delays at this stage will continue to worsen the situation," he warned.

One of the main problems at the moment is the lack of seat capacity, Mr Zammit Tabona said. Though the routes offered were a step in the right direction, they were clearly not enough.

"Airlines like Ryanair were prepared to service more routes, including opening a base in Malta, but I guess the government is weighing the possible impact on Air Malta," he added.

In the meantime, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant and the Labour Party's spokesman for tourism Evarist Bartolo held a meeting with Ryanair representatives yesterday, three days after having talks with Easyjet officials.

Ryanair filed a claim for £3 million against the British government yesterday as compensation for the cost of new security measures enforced after a major terror alert.