Low-cost flights to start on October 31 as planned

Although it's almost certain the EU green light for the government scheme to subsidise Ryanair flights from the end of this month will not arrive on time, European Commission sources said yesterday the service should start as scheduled because approval will be given in the first weeks of November.

EU approval will cover all the flights under the scheme, even those starting before the scheme gets the official seal of approval by Brussels, the sources said.

The evaluation process of Malta's application continues and last week the Maltese government submitted detailed replies to additional information requested by the Commission. "Following the original notification of the Air Route Development Scheme by the Maltese government on September 25, we had requested the Maltese authorities some additional information. The government promptly answered all our requests and we are currently evaluating these answers. The process should be over shortly," the Commission sources said.

Government sources confirmed that low-cost flights will start on Tuesday as planned.

"We have been working closely with the Commission for the past weeks. Although the Commission's approval is arriving a short while after the introduction of the flights, this is only a technical matter and should not affect in any way the planned introduction of low-cost airlines.

"What will happen is that the Commission's approval will also cover all low-cost flights as from October 31."

According to EU rules, schemes such as the one launched by the government last July to lure low-cost airlines to Malta have to be in line with its strict state aid guidelines. According to this scheme, qualifying low-cost airlines will be given financial aid for start-up costs, specific route marketing and promotion of the route.

So far only Ryanair has announced plans to start low-cost flights to Malta.