3,200 voters flying in on special fare

Air Malta has so far received around 3,200 requests from eligible voters to make use of a scheme which allows them to come to Malta for €35 (Lm15) to vote in Saturday's general election.

The absolute majority of reservations were confirmed while alternative dates or routes have been offered for a few requests, the national airline said.

Twelve extra flights will be operated over and above its normal schedule to the UK and Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Six hundred requests were received from the Benelux area, 1,750 from the UK, 175 requests from Germany, 375 from Italy and some 300 from other countries.

To organise this scheme, Air Malta set up a specific section to handle and process the various booking requests received.

"This exercise further confirms Air Malta's social obligations towards the country and its people," an airline spokesman said.

Under the scheme, eligible voters may fly between February 29 and March 16, both days included. It covers Maltese married to foreigners, studying, working or undergoing medical treatment abroad, as well as their dependants.