Qatar Airways considering flights to Malta

The five-star Qatar Airways are seriously considering flights to and from Malta, chairman Akbar al Baker told a Maltese delegation led by President George Abela and Foreign MInister Tonio Borg.

Mr al Baker said that these flights depended on a number of factors including the delivery of new aircraft.

These flights will be possible following the signing of an air services agreement during this visit.

Dr Borg, who forms part of the delegation, said that the airline also hoped to employ Maltese cabin crew.

Another agreement signed by Qatar Airways with Lufthansa Technik for the maintenance of 25 aircraft in the next two-and-a-half years.

As a rule, the airline only repaired its aircraft in Germany but it was making an exception with Malta because it knew that standards were very high, Mr al Baker told Dr Borg.

According to Skytrax passenger survey, Qatar Airways is the best airline in the Middle East and the fouth best worldwide.

Dr Borg said that the two countries also signed an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. This was the 11th such agreement Malta signed this year.