Updated: Ryanair announces six new routes to Malta

ray pace

Mar 6th 2010, 11:26

New routes are always welcome. Without diminishing Airmalta role, I must say that the latter has itself to blame for any loss of revenue. Airmalta does not heed to its customers, a case in point is the friday afternoon Malta-Catania route which it shelves for winter,when with little logic and results,one would tend to go/come for a weekend returning sunday night.Now the maltese will be able to go to Bologna for this weekend all year round with Ryanair. Whatever charges for luggage and food and connecting train/coaches, Ryanair still remains cheaper than most direct Airmalta flights all year round. The service is excellent too, even when a problem arises like last monday's landing problem due to extreme winds-the captain informed us what was happening unlike Airmalta when a similar problem occured last september in catania where passengers were kept in the dark hovering a couple of metres above the sea and the reply we got when we asked was - its not in your interest to know!!! I am sorry to say this but if Airmalta wants to survive it has to put its house in order.

George Vella

Mar 5th 2010, 20:37

While I don't want to take away any merits from Air Malta for the 35 years of sterling service they have provided for the Maltese islands, it would be nice to see another airline offering a service to Switzerland, as since the the demise of Swissair some years ago, only Air Malta has offered this service to this alpine country, and the prices most of the time are quite expensive for just a 2 hour flight? Any thoughts about this route for the future, Ryanair or Easyjet?

Sybil Mchugh

Mar 5th 2010, 19:55

The only flight option we can get from scotland is ryanair from edinburgh as air malta stopped all flights from not onlt glasgow but scotland as a whole and you talk about attracting more tourist to malta. I dont think this is the way to do it.

Muscat. Pat

Mar 5th 2010, 19:08

AirMalta also known as "ghasafar tac-comb" makes us proud; reliable, efficient service. For those who work abroad, there is no substitute for our airline. For those who travel for business, again, it is second to none. It would be a tragedy without Airmalta! For cheap holidays and yes for weekend tourism low cost have a role. For those who go for a" gita" once a year, the low cost gives you wings-cheap ones at that.

Andrew Scicluna

Mar 5th 2010, 18:22

Brussels please!!! Even Charleroi would do!

RAY MIFSUD

Mar 5th 2010, 17:16

AIRMALTA, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CARRIER, OR COMPANY, FOR ALL THAT MATTERS, HAS ITS POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES, SO PLEASE LETS ALL TRY TO BE MORE LOYAL TO OUR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD, AND SHOW MORE RESPECT TO AIRMALTA !! of course and rightly so, at the end of the day, every one has his own needs, expectations and limitations, but lets not make this FOREIGNER of a airline, some kind of a local hero.

R.MIFSUD.

RAY MIFSUD

Mar 5th 2010, 17:14

Yes, it would be interesting to have a sort of official breakdown of employees intake , year by year, from 1973, and the profits the airline has made, again year by year, so hopefully one would limit the attacks on the airline. As much as I agree with this agreement, and may there be more for the best interest of our DEAR ISLANDHOME, lets not do this at the expense of OUR OWN NATIONAL CARRIER. KM does not get any subsidies for Maltese originating travel, so that is already a start in favour of Ryanair. IF this agreement, does not allow Ryanair to dictate the routes, than how come, were Marseilles and Bologna also given to them, when KM is already operating there? were they also granted because Ryanair will be operating on a year round basis? while KM operates only in summer ? Does this mean that Ryanair will only be getting subsidy for winter only for these two routes ? or perhaps KM will also be getting subsidy on their routes to MRS and BLQ ? As long as competition is equal to all , then it's healthy, so please lets keep it that way.

RAY MIFSUD

Mar 5th 2010, 17:08

Still over all it is good news for every body concerned and due praise to every one involved to reach such agreement. Short frequent and independent trips , is the norm of the day, and we must be prepared for it, otherwise our tourism industry will fall behind. BUT this does not mean we have to turn our own guns on our own airline, after all these years of service, where apart taking the plunge into new markets for nearly 35 years, and never did it ask for subsidies, but to the contrary, helped the local economy both tourism wise, and financially, thanks for years and years of solid profits ! It hurts me to see all this hard talk towards KM especially by fellow citizens . infect personally it hurts double as much, first as a proud Maltese citizen, and secondly as a privileged and honoured member of AIR MALTA staff. PLEASE lets not make a political issue out of this, for a change. There were mistakes like with everyone and everything. and if we are accused of being over staffed , it is the same situation where governments have a major say.

Ray Mifsud

Mar 5th 2010, 16:59

First of all i do agree that this is good news indeed to Malta's tourism, and to the traveling Maltese public. But lets keep in mind that Ryanair is doing this for a profit, and the moment we dare not deliver what we promised, they are out of here, even quicker than they came in ! Various airports experienced these uturns, Valencia for one. lets not forget, and infect it is most important to keep in mind, that Ryanair, like any other EU airline, low lost or not, immaterial, can fly into Malta from any airport they want, including Hahn and Charleroi., ANY TIME THEY WANT !The only thing that stops them are the subsidies. NO SUBSIDIES, NO RYANAIR FLIGHTS , as easy as that !! - PART 1.

T.Mercieca

Mar 5th 2010, 14:46

I flied both airmalta and ryanair and i prefer ryanair by far! fares are excessive with airmalta who in turn provide no better service than ryanair. Of course you get the food with air malta which you'd pay a very high price for with the purchase of the ticket...and I never got to pay any extra charges for overweight luggage with ryanair. it just takes a little bit of planning beforehand.

Ian Mikes

Mar 5th 2010, 12:51

Where is the Brussels to Malta flight with Ryanair ? Why doesn't Ryanair introduce this flight ?
Air Malta has an absolute MONOPOLY on this route and they abuse their position. Why does it cost more to fly from Brussel to Malta then to fly Brussels to NewYork ?

AirMalta going bust , is a mater of time - face the music now and it will be less painfull or maybe the current GOV is leaving the problem fior the next one ?

M.Farrugia

Mar 5th 2010, 11:26

Ryanair bhal kull kumpanijia ohra trid taghmel profit u rat potenzjal kbir b'Malta. Suppost l-Airmalta ghanda l-mira taghha li taghmel profit ukoll, ghax jekk le xorta f-taxpayer jispicca jaghmel tajjeb ghat telf.

Il gvern jaf li it turizmu inbidel, hafna nies ihobbu isiefru ghal zmien qasir bi prezzijiet baxxi. Jaf ukoll li l-airmalta thaddem hafna nies, li hafna minnhom gew impjegati bi gzuz fit tmenijiet, imma issa dawn il jobs iridu kemm jista jkun jigu protetti.

L-Airmalta minn naha taghha donnha ftit tifhem il bidla fis suq tat turizmu, kuntenta titlob prezzjijet moghla is-smewwiet u ittir b'ajruplani vojta u toqtol lil industrija kollha tat turizmu.

Madankollu, il gvern rega rniexxielu jiehu decizjoni ohra kuragguza u qed izomm bilanc xieraq, jaghti spinta lit turizmu u joqghod attent ghal airmalta fl-istess hin fi zmien ta recessjoni mad dinja. Infethu il bibien berah ghal Maltin, li allahares kultant zmien ma johorgux minn gzira daqshekk zghira, haga li sa ftit ilu kienet kwazi impossibli blAirmalta b'airfares ta aktar minn Euro 1000 ghal familja ta erbgha.

Fejnu l-gvern inkompetenti ? Risposta wara l-ohra qed jaghtikom gonzi, hidma bla waqfien,success wara l-iehor fi zmien ta recessjoni mondjali, waqt li intom teqirdu u tghajtu fit-toroq.
Prosit GonziPN

Mickel van gurchom

Mar 5th 2010, 10:40

Why so many possitive comments in favour of air Malta...
Ryan air is cheaper, much cheaper. last year I had to pay for 4 people to dusseldorf with airmalta double of that of lufthansa, my choice was obvious

Most tourist even favour a cheaper airline as they do not mind any service for 2.5 hours.
What i do not understand is.. Ryan air has a profit and Airmalta with much higher prices has a loss.

Ross Stephen Lock

Mar 5th 2010, 10:01

Despite what you all may think, Ryan-air is not there to service your personal routes and Ryan-air is a cash cow for Michael O'Leary.
To everyone commenting that they have been keep prisoners here for years, who is the airline who brought 1000's of tourists year after year and provide a way for maltese to leave here and kept our economy going for years, Air Malta did. Long live Air Malta.

Pauline Thomposn

Mar 5th 2010, 09:57

Peter Wood - just a thought - are you aware that there are flights from Bristol? With effect from 30 March there are flights from Bournemouth too.

Sébastien VASSALLO

Mar 5th 2010, 09:14

Marseille is the place where most of the Maltese diaspora from Algeria and Tunisia arrived and eventually settled in France. I'm sure this flight will be a success as today, there are thousands of French people with Maltese origins there who are very proud of their roots and will definitely pay a visit to the country of their ancestors.

V. Xerri

Mar 5th 2010, 04:53

Do we want more tourists or do we not?
That is the question.

A. Mifsud

Mar 5th 2010, 00:30

@ all

When Ryanair says that the airline "is expected to carry 800,000 tourists" it does not mean that we'll have 800,000 tourists!!

All (or nearly all) tourists that come for a holiday will go back to their homeland, so that figure is already down by 50%. So if they were all foreigners flying ryanair we're already down to a perceived 400,000 tourists. And again they aren't - there are locals too - so the amount of tourists is even less.

With ryanair one must thread very carefully before jumping to conclusions, to CARRY 800,000 passengers is one thing and to BRING 800,000 tourists is another.

A. Mifsud

Mar 5th 2010, 00:16

@ all people suggesting new routes to/from Frankfurt Hahn or Metz by Ryanair....

....FORGET IT. The government will not negotiate on subsidizing these routes. They're too profitable for Air Malta and Lufthansa. Of course any airline operator is free to commence these routes without any restriction at any time BUT without subsidies stingy Ryanair will simply abstain from operating such routes.

ian xuereb

Mar 4th 2010, 22:35

good deal bdejna nitghalmu u namlu xi haga tajba ghal pajizna proset negozju tajjep ghal maltin u barranin

NSpiteri

Mar 4th 2010, 21:21

IS THE GOVERNMENT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY IF AIRMALTA WANTS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES? OK TO ALLOW RYAN AIR, BUT 19 ROUTES!!!! COME ON!! IT'S GOOD TO DO THIS MOVE 2 YEARS AFTER THE ELECTION, SO THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE EMPLOYEES WILL BE FORGOTTEN IN ANY OTHER 3 YEARS TIME!! PROSIT GONZI!!

Chris Spiteri

Mar 4th 2010, 20:00

Well done Ryanair and the Maltese Government for reaching this agreement!!!

S Mizzi

Mar 4th 2010, 19:08

This is great news. However Ryanair is not tapping enough into a huge market around the UK, particularly in the midlands. A flight from BHX or East Midlands would be great. They are realtively secondary but cheap airports to operate from however opens huge possibilities.

Stephanie Farrugia

Mar 4th 2010, 18:54

@ r ferriggi

of course you get feedback to this report...depends which type..everyone yapping for his /her own personalized ryanair route.....but how many people are actually looking beyond their own needs and seeing the whole picture, as R Zammit has so clearly stated? Personally I had the same exact thoughts when I read Ryanair's statements re them carrying 800 000 tourists this year. Can we have an official ( from MIA pls )figure of how many TOURISTS they really got over here last year and how much the Maltese taxpayer paid for them?

The bottom line is that Ryanair is here to line O leary's pocket ,just as it does elsewhere in the world. I agree- Airmalta should start taking note of Ryanair's business strategy and operate only profit making routes..who knows, maybe if any one of these commentators needs a fast service to London's hospitals ,Ryanair will chip in and take them straight there for free :)

john cassar

Mar 4th 2010, 18:32

I am not against having competition at all, this is healthy, but could the government please let us Maltese people know how much money he is giving out from us tax payers to these low cost carriers. From what we read and hear the low cost carriers are being given an ex amount of money for every passenger that travels to our country also why is a low cost carrier being given money which again is taxpayers money to have an aircraft based in Malta . We demonstrated because of the W&E bills,is this not money being taken away from us. Let low cost carriers come and let there be competition but not at the detriment of us Maltese people. Please note we are paying partially for someone to go or come on holiday whilst most of us cannot afford . UNIONS PLEASE SPEAK UP NOW

Peppino

Mar 4th 2010, 18:21

Just my way of thinking :down with ryanair it wouldn't be so bad if ryanair come out clean and quote us proper prices and no Hidden costs. Right?

Claire Busuttil

Mar 4th 2010, 18:07

Thanks Ryanair!!

Claire Busuttil

Mar 4th 2010, 18:02

@Pule - Passengers have rights on an IATA airline

Ryanair, is also an IATA airline.

Eric Frendo

Mar 4th 2010, 17:58

I want a flight to heaven with 1euro please! (not now but when I die)

Ivan Falzon

Mar 4th 2010, 17:55

@R.Zammit very well said

In 2009 with 14routes Ryanair had a market share of 15% = approx 225k
In 2010 with 20routes Ryanair plans to carry 800k!

Most probably Ryanair's new CEO shall be D. Copperfield!

Ivan Falzon

Mar 4th 2010, 17:44

I want GOZO!

Jacques René Zammit

Mar 4th 2010, 17:34

@R. Caruana: The airmalta flights carrying voters are subsidised by taxpayers too so it doesn't make any difference. What should be worrying you - and worries me - is why the simple solution of a ballot box in Luxembourg, Brussels and Frankfurt is not available at election time. Maybe PLPN are worried they lose control over who votes? Who's "robbing" your taxes now?

As for the Ryanair vs Airmalta business I personally wouldn't mind a regular service by Airmalta to Luxembourg, Metz-Nancy or Frankfurt-Hahn. Personally or not the argument of serving the Grand Region applies whether it is AirMalta or Ryanair doing the flying.

R.Zammit

Mar 4th 2010, 17:29

Furthermore the the Ryanair rep said 800,000 PASSENGERS (at most) not TOURISTS as reported. With 80% load factors that means 640000 passengers of which around 20% will be Maltese and locally based foreigners, leaving 512000 passengers going AND coming which translate to 256,000 TOURISTS.

Very good for the country, but very far removed from the 800000 tourists reported..... and our governemnt will be paying some €40 each for them.

Also, their $70 million investment is simply the cost (list price) of the airplane they are basing. This 'investment' can be pulled-out in less than 24 hours when in future we don't give in to their demands.

Lastly the report says ryanair has around 20% of air travel market it Malta, yet the very next line puts it at 15%. Just to keep things in perspective.

Joseph Calleja

Mar 4th 2010, 17:23

@ R Caruana:
To all the foreign based writers, does anyone remember who got you here to vote? That is the biggest rip off to the Maltese tax payer I ever seen. It's a free trip for the Maltese living within the EU to come visit family and take a short vacation at the expense of the tax payer and to accommodate the present government. If they really want to be fair, offer a round trip ticket to every Maltese citizen abroad, no matter where. And the rest of us citizens who live in Malta, what do you suggest? A free round trip bus ride to the polling place? Use the internet like other countries do or use snail mail, they need the money. Only in Malta
PS: What about flights Malta/Heathrow? Or is that route for KM to accommodate voters.

M.Pule'

Mar 4th 2010, 17:16

How about a flight to the Dolomites or perhaps to Gozo? Some people think that flying to a destination is like a bingo game. Does anyone realize that the price of fuel is sky high & to fly to a decent airport like Strasbourg costs money? I am proud of our national airline because it gives us a permanent service, whether it is snowing at the Uk or not. Passengers have rights on an IATA airline. Ryanair is useful only when everything is plainsailing. No connections. Credit card fees. Checkin fees. Who said Ryanair is cheap? Easter period excluded....hahaahaha

R.Zammit

Mar 4th 2010, 17:04

OK lets see where our rumoured €4million (€8 million if they base a second plane) will be going.

Marseille and Bologna are (now obviosly read -were) seasonally served by Air Malta at no cost to the tax payer. Billund is 135 miles from Copenhagen and will jeopordise Danish airline's Jet time's summer charter operation.

Krakow, Seville and Valencia are actual new routes, even though the latter has already benefited Ryanair over a year of subsidy before they pulled out of the airport after a 'diagreement' with the airport management.

If this new ryanair base results in Air Malta reducing a single plane from its fleet, this will easily cost Malta over 100 jobs as well as hundreds of thousands of Euros less income tax/NI revenue to the government. In contrast, being an Irish company Ryanair will not pay taxes in Malta, and as with other bases, its employees will mainly be foreign.

I have no objection to Ryanair operating from Malta, indeed its their right (intra EU), yet it baffles me why my government has to pay them €4 million, which at the same time cripples our own Air Malta

J.Borg

Mar 4th 2010, 17:03

And the PL say that Malta is going under.... yea right

meerkat martin

Mar 4th 2010, 16:31

Boulliabaise + Bandol here I come !

R.Caruana

Mar 4th 2010, 16:19

There seem to be lots of suggestions directed to Ryanair to operate flights from Malta to various destinations at a marketed low price. Let me make one suggestion to Mr O'Leary to introduce a la carte menus on his flights so that he start operating flights as suggested by his fellow passengers. I make one suggestion to Airmalta management to wake up, and start operating profit making routes and not routes that are there to serve Tom, Dick and Harry. I am sure there are routes where Airmalta can make a better use of its fleet. To all the foreign based writers, does anyone remember who got you here to vote? Of course it was not Ryanair, as what they are after is to rob money out of your pockets and of our taxes.

Andy Holst

Mar 4th 2010, 16:16

Is the government of Malta and RyanAir taking the MICK or what? you mentioned nearly all the other destination under the sun as far as european roots, but why on earth AS YET no other more important roots for us working in Amsterdam, Germany, Lux and Belgium.. whats the problem friends? Its no point making use of your national airline, AirMalta, that would cost an arm and a leg and need to work more overtime back home in Brussels to use your airline, so its has to be one of the cheapies.Who is scratching whose back to come up with the other roots? Adios Amigos.

Jacques René Zammit

Mar 4th 2010, 16:16

@the luxo expats: It's rather unrealistic to expect Ryanair to suddenly decide to negotiate with what is probably the most expensive airport in Europe. Also a Frankfurt-Hahn route seems to be a direct threat to the vital AirMalta Frankfurt link so probably a no-no as would be Charleroi (BXL) We would be better off crossing our fingers on the Nancy-Lorraine route (Metz) should the Lorraine authorities agree to sit at the negotiating table with Ryanair.

@mark pace : linking the Grand Region (yes it's called that) to Malta has nothing to do with pampering the expats swimming in gold abroad. While much of your resentment at the expat community is understandable and normal in a plebeian sort of way it does nothing to tackle the fact that the Lorraine-Luxembourg-Saarland region remains unserved by any airline. The region provides thousands of tourists to the cliché holiday catchments in N. Africa, Spain and Greece. For some reason it is ignored by the MTA and tourism plan... maybe we are too busy sponsoring great ventures like Portsmouth FC.

Next time you're in Luxembourg Mark I'll offer you a great alsatian wine. Somehow I doubt you'll ever make it here though.

r ferriggi

Mar 4th 2010, 16:15

has anybody noted the HUGE feedback on this article??

does it not indicate something is wrong with the air communication of these islands??

for how long will the maltese be slaves to our ''''national'''' airline airmalta???

for how long will the authorities keep making stumbling blocks for compeition????

Ian Chetcuti

Mar 4th 2010, 16:02

Tajba Norman!

H.Calleja

Mar 4th 2010, 16:00

Reading all these suggestions for more Ryanair routes to many other countries not yet provided confirms that we Maltese are a big bunch of people who like travelling. Austerity and utilitiy tariffs?!

bryan sullivan

Mar 4th 2010, 15:58

@peter wood

ryanair will be flying from malta to the lovely town of bournemouth as from the 30th march 2010.

to others critizizing air malta:
air malta offer a very good service - and yes ,with some exceptions, with a smile - with a different concept of air travel to low cost arlines and consequently their fares are higher . however it has to also be said that on many occasions air malta fares compare very favourably with the low cost when one takes into consideration flying times, check in costs , luggage charges etc.

Brigid Garroni

Mar 4th 2010, 15:50

@ mark pace : x'kull lanżita għandek ħi!

J.Scicluna (Rabat)

Mar 4th 2010, 15:49

Oh yes! Pleeeeeeease Mr Ryanair, could we also have a flight to Mogadishu, Damascus and the Seychelles along with the Luxemburg flight????

BAH! HUMBUG!

M. Aquilina

Mar 4th 2010, 15:49

It is the holy truth that AirMalta might charge a higher price, but one has to keep in mind the diverse services AirMalta offers. Transportation of incoming and outgoing cargo/mail/courier, convenient schedule timings, etc etc. No comments to be said about the service, i think its almost excellent!!! Gluck Km!!!!

Florence Falzon

Mar 4th 2010, 15:47

Kindly do introduce flights from Bergamo (Orio al Serio) so that I would be able to fly to Malta more often!!! Thanks

Alf Nitti

Mar 4th 2010, 15:45

The interest of few vs. the convenience of all Malta

What about tourism in Malta and the thousands of people working or depending from this economy?
The capacity to bring tourists to Malta by far depends on the capacity of airline companies to fly to Malta.

A bigger consideration to the people working in the tourism sector and to the many thousands of Maltese working abroad could bring to analyse with serious marketing criteria, not influenced by unmotivated fears of few, where there is a big demand for flight connections to and from Malta without harming the legitimate interests of AIR Malta.

As it is clear from the many comments below, the area of the Grande Region - North of France (Lorraine)/ Luxembourg/ Germany (Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate) is not at all or badly connected with Malta.

Today a lot of potential tourists for Malta from the Grande Region find it too far or too expensive to have to travel to Brussels or Frankfurt am Main and then fly to Malta. On the other hand they can enjoy cheap flights from Frankfurt Hahn (Germany) and Charleroi (Belgium) with Ryanair to all tourist places in Europe, except of course Malta!

T.Mercieca

Mar 4th 2010, 15:39

Bring it on!! had enough of super over-priced AirMalta .....we need more routes from ryanair... who tend to be more reliable and professional

Mario Buttigieg

Mar 4th 2010, 15:37

Any chance for a flight from Malta to the moon please.!! Air Malta flights are too expensive to this destination!!

@ all
These blogs are loads of nonsense!!! As if Ryanair did not do a feasibility studies on every route introduced!!

grace cassar

Mar 4th 2010, 15:28

GIVE ME AIRMALTA ANYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yvo Hesselman

Mar 4th 2010, 15:26

Holland-Malta PLEASE!!!!!

Wayne Hewitt

Mar 4th 2010, 15:19

There are alot of Maltese going to and fro Budapest, Hungary on business and this route can be developed more in line with the emerging market there. I think Budapest is being underserved and would be great to see Ryanair flying there, giving a cheaper more flexible opportunity to Airmalta/Lufthansa. Also a cheap direct Ryanair flight to Turin in Italy would definitely be a boost.

Maria Mifsud

Mar 4th 2010, 15:19

more flights (and better prices) from Birmingham please. Airmalta prices to the only airport in the midlands are RIDICULOUS! Still worth spending a £30 journey to Luton Airport for a cheap Ryanair flight!

Stephanie Farrugia

Mar 4th 2010, 15:02

@ all

ok so far we have calls for frankfurt, luxemburg, lulbljana....any one else wants to have his /her own RPS:::ryanair personalised service..? grow up

does anyone of you really think that O'leary is in any of this to serve you personally? You should be asking what all this is costing the government ie you through your taxes before you start cheering and why is it that I never seem to find any of these cheapie tickets especially on the days I want to fly?

S. Bezzina

Mar 4th 2010, 14:56

@ mark pace

just to put you a bit more into the picture:

1. I work in malta and like many other colleagues and friends, I visit luxembourg for conferences and business trips every now and then....and mind you, no one grabs anyone from anywhere to go there!

2. it would be interesting working on a four-day week. could you give me examples from the EU area?

3. Of course I do afford buying a flight to anywhere....I guess you should buy a pair of good specs because my point was not in affording vs not, but trying to make people's life more comfortable and efficient! aren't you realising how eager and willing are people to have such a route (mla-lux-mla)?

4. some day some day....i shall be singing '' i'm leaving, on a jet plane....don't know when i'll be back again'' GET A LIFE!!!

KEVIN CALLUS

Mar 4th 2010, 14:18

As a Maltese citizen I feel really proud that despite our country's size we have such a great airline Airmalta. Service is great and hassle free, especially when compared to other airlines in Europe. Flight times are more convenient since they are mostly day time.
However, I have recently discovered Ryanair as a good cheaper alternative. I must admit that travelling to London is sometimes cheaper by Airmalta than Ryanair when considering the cost of Ryanair flights to Luton + baggage + taxes + transfers to central London at a time of day (night) when the London underground is closed.
I have found Ryanair convenient to destinations like Spain and Treviso where Airmalta does not fly. And yes, I would suggest Ryanair to consider Ljubljana since Airmalta does not go there and I am sure that Slovenia would make a perfect holiday destination for Maltese travellers. Prague should be considered too.

S. Gatt

Mar 4th 2010, 14:13

I agree with most people here suggesting flights to Frankfurt-Hahn. This would facilitate things for all the Maltese workers (and their families) in Luxembourg who would like to frequent Malta more often but cannot, due to the lack of direct flights from Luxembourg. It would be ideal for us who work a '4 day week' (according to mark pace) to be able to take a long weekend break and step off from our private jets each time we fancy seeing our families in Malta! Indeed I believe I can be classified as a tourist when I go back home and spend my hard-earned cash on food, drinks, entertainment..oh and of course fuel for my private jet!!

Mario Micallef

Mar 4th 2010, 14:08

@ Mr Ferriggi...East Midlands will start to be served by BMI baby....another airline if im not mistaken in May...

A Grech

Mar 4th 2010, 14:06

Hmmm...are you all sure you want Air Malta to operate the Luxembourg route? The Brussels route is one of their few cash-cows and you only have to be constrained to travel to Malta on private funds to understand how much it will cost you to visit your relatives (especially during holidays). So am sure that authorities will never allow to have this niece delicious cake be shared with anybody else especially Ryan Air.

Anthony Roberts

Mar 4th 2010, 14:03

I tried booking with airmalta using my airmiles but because it was the weekend there was no one available to take my booking, when I tried to book again the tax had gone up by about 35-50 euros. So I am flying with Easyjet.

Mark Gatt

Mar 4th 2010, 13:39

One would love to know how much does every passenger traveling with Ryanair cost the government( our taxes)? I mean we are sponsoring people to come and visit our island when they use Ryanair ...

bernadette farrell MANCHESTER

Mar 4th 2010, 13:35

how about a new route to/from Manchester?

Jes Baldaccino

Mar 4th 2010, 13:30

What about MUNICH or Augsburg??

A Smyth

Mar 4th 2010, 13:28

Mr Ferrigi have you seen the Price of Ryan Air from Dublin... Wake up
As for the government dictating the routes - Get real If they can pick a fight with the Irish government who is to say they will not with the Maltese.

By the Way what is the agreement reached - That Ryanair get free parking.....

c.saliba

Mar 4th 2010, 13:19

@mark pace - what's your problem buddy, can't you read?! At least 10 people including myself already suggested Luxembourg (or Frankfurt Hahn because it's a related route). Before you call the salary 'pathetic', do consider the hassle that regular visitors need to go through, to get there and back. Once you have seen the rent, bills etc. you might change your opinion about salaries. Trust me, no one 'grabs' you to work in Luxembourg, away from your family, home country and in grey weather and no one sits for your lengthy exams and interviews. But everyone likes bargains, efficiency and comfort irrespective of the salary. Some people go to Luxembourg for conferences only, or worse, for one-day meetings. Besides, did you forget that Malta is in the EU, so it's obvious that we get to travel and socialize more with the rest of Europe?

Fabian Mizzi

Mar 4th 2010, 13:16

Can someone tell us what benefits this so called base will have for Malta & the Maltese ? I do not know whay there is all this hype for flights from Luxembourg. Most of Luxair's flights to and from Malta used to be half empty so I do not really think there is the need for such flights and surely not even Ryanair will have such flights unless there is a market for such flights. Cheap flights can prove costly for a lot of people because such airlines do not pay any compensation on cancellation of flights or offer alternatives if flights have to be cancelled due to weather like Air Malta did some weeks ago.

J. Ascoli

Mar 4th 2010, 13:00

One route to France would be most welcomed..

As would the Eindhoven route. Going to Holland with Airmalta will almost surely cost you north of 200 euros, which is as risible as pitiable.

And while we're at it, why not be adventurous and open a new route to Morocco, Fez or Marrakesh? More and more people are starting to take notice of this wonderful land which at least, is not six time zones away.

Beppe Agius

Mar 4th 2010, 12:57

May I suggest Bergamo (Orio del Serio) as being one the possible new routes ... and keep flying high .... not in prices like other airlines are doing ... well done Ryanair.

J Rizzo

Mar 4th 2010, 12:53

Please keep in mind that the operation of ryanair to Malta is subsidized by the Maltese Govt and they operate to secondary airports which in most cases are far from city centers, that is why they can afford to offer lower prices.Otherwise how can they make a profit when the price of oil is about USD650 per tonne and a B737 burns about six tonnes on a three hour flight, and this is the cost of fuel only and not taking into account crew wages, maintenance costs, aircraft depreciation, insurance, landing and airspace usage fees. One also wonders why the Govt is not offering the same help to AirMalta, instead it made huge blunders in the management of the airline like the purchase of the RJ70s, the investment of millions in Azzurra air which went banckrupt, politically appointed and incompetent management excessive workforce etc etc. One wonders what the future is for the 1300 AirMalta employees, Mr Govt please explain!!

J. Vella

Mar 4th 2010, 12:44

Join the Facebook group for Ryanair Hahn - Malta

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95245361802

Peter Vella

Mar 4th 2010, 12:41

I would like to bring to the attention of the persons involved in the choice of destinations that Hahn in Germany (even though its airport is called Frankfurt-Hahn) is not in Frankfurt. In fact it is 115km away from Frankfurt am Main airport (vide link on viamichelin below). So for those concerned about the possible effects that such a new route could have on the AirMalta route to Frankfurt Am Main, please note that this will probably not be effected

http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Itineraires?strStartLocid=3bMGFSRVAxMTU3OTcyNlNFUlJFUDExMTBnTkRrdU9UUTJNemc0T0RrPWdOeTR5TnpBeU56YzNOemc9&strDestLocid=34MTE1aXJwY2cwMDNja3AxMDUyZmRhemNOVEF1TURJM09UWT1jT0M0MU5USTROZz09Y05UQXVNRE13TURFPThPQzQxTmpFPWNOVEF1TURNd01ERT04T0M0MU5qRT0wckZsdWdoYWZlbiBGcmFua2Z1cnQgYW0gTWFpbg==strStartLocid=3bMGFSRVAxMTU3OTcyNlNFUlJFUDExMTBnTkRrdU9UUTJNemc0T0RrPWdOeTR5TnpBeU56YzNOemc9&strDestLocid=34MTE1aXJwY2cwMDNja3AxMDUyZmRhemNOVEF1TURJM09UWT1jT0M0MU5USTROZz09Y05UQXVNRE13TURFPThPQzQxTmpFPWNOVEF1TURNd01ERT04T0M0MU5qRT0wckZsdWdoYWZlbiBGcmFua2Z1cnQgYW0gTWFpbg==&empriseW=315&empriseH=275&intItineraryType=1&caravaneHidden=false&vh=CAR&distance=km&strVehicle=0&devise=1.0|EUR&carbCost=1.3&isAvoidFrontiers=false&isFavoriseAutoroute=false&isAvoidPeage=false&isAvoidVignette=false&isAvoidLNR=false&autoConso=6.8&villeConso=6&routeConso=5.6&dtmDeparture=04/03/2010&indemnite=0&itineraryCarType=0&itineraryFuelType=0

Carmen Carabott

Mar 4th 2010, 12:40

Malta - Frankfurt Hahn would be great!!!

ALF BONELLO

Mar 4th 2010, 12:38

And now then, any chance for a Malta - Munich -Malta flight, please ?
Common Ryanair,
Lufthansa and AirMalta have had it all for ages !!

Camilleri K.

Mar 4th 2010, 12:35

I've been at Hahn Airport (Germany) several times... and one is impressed by the massive crowds speaking German, French, Dutch, Luxembourgish, etc. descending on this major central European Ryan Air hub by car or bus from all the nearby areas and countries, heading to...

...Fuerteventura, Faro, Girona, Marrakesh, Tunis and the rest of the Mediterranean "sunshine belt." All "going south" aboard Ryan Air looking for the big blue (including some precious winter sun! ESPECIALLY some glorious winter sunshine! I.e. the time of year which is still dubbed the "low season" in Malta's tourism!).

Malta is of course missing out on all this potential influx because it has no Ryan Air counter at this important airport!

Joe Izzo Clarke

Mar 4th 2010, 12:35

Luxembourg, please

m.pace

Mar 4th 2010, 12:30

Would the real michael o`leary please take note.
malta-brussels and malta-luxembourg would be a sure hit.
Go for it!!

Kenneth Bonnici

Mar 4th 2010, 12:27

I would like to invite Mr.O'Leary for lunch! Thanks to Ryanair we do not feel anymore' trapped' on an island! And yes it's been great for tourism, we do get many tourists which for sure would not have come at all without Ryanair. More connections with Spain and Italy will surely give great results..... but I'm sure Ryanair know which airports to choose.

Re Luxembourg wokers..... I hope you will be served but come on you can afford 300€ flights easily.... maybe Ryanair can offer this route at not such a low cost cos i anyway doubt how much flights you will be able to fill from Lux to Malta. So maybe best options is Hahn...

Micheal Debono

Mar 4th 2010, 12:25

Maybe a route to Riga would do.

We dont have much direct connections to Eastern Europe.

sihon gauci

Mar 4th 2010, 12:24

a route to either luxembourg, frankfurt hahn or metz would be desirable. it would certainly make the hundreds of maltese there come to malta more often during the year. currently coming home to see their families is not only expensive because they have to get connected flights, but also time wasting because it takes up to a day of travelling for a mere 2 hr flight.
moreover i am sure loads of people who are friends of the maltese workers there would love to visit malta but are not encouraged by the hassle to get here.

Stephan ellul

Mar 4th 2010, 12:21

Please a flight to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport !!!!
flights are all over 300 euros

Mary Ann Borg

Mar 4th 2010, 12:21

As a frequent flyer I rejoice at Ryanair's offer of more routes from Malta, but as a Maltese I cannot not worry with the adverse affect this may have on our national airline, Air Malta. Having said this however, I am seeing KM being less focussed on the local market with many flights making stops in Sicily which only make trips longer, much longer. Only recently, after having booked a flight to Zagreb via Germany, received a call informing that the flight will also stop in Sicily before continuing to Germany. I think this is grossly unfair and if Air Malta continues this way it might as well reposition its fleet to Sicily and make way for Ryanair. I occasionally fly Ryanair and each flight was either full to the brim or with over 90% occupancy which says a lot for the success the airline is having in Malta. Again, Ryanair knows this and flights connecting Malta to Luton are never included in any of the offers, even if their flights are always way cheaper than KM's or any other airline, including EasyJet.

Peadar Farrell

Mar 4th 2010, 12:17

Well done Malta and Michael.

Its really is true where Ryanair goes prosperity follows. I get to Malta twice as often as I did before you flew to Malta. A huge number of divers fly with you to Malta, you give travelling golfers a weight allowance but not to Divers why? Also a connection on to Sharm el Sheik would be really wonderful and would be quite popular with UK and Irish divers as the price would be right!

Peter Murray

Mar 4th 2010, 12:16

This is good news but iy would be interesting to learn why negotiations were conducted with the government for this agreement rather than the MIA?

IBorg

Mar 4th 2010, 12:14

@Ryan Air - Brussels Charleroi - Malta....guaranteed success!

K.Camilleri

Mar 4th 2010, 12:12

Ryan Air should consider Malta-Frankfurt Hahn (in Germany, but very near Luxembourg), since many Maltese people living in Luxembourg travel to Malta regularly (some on a weekly basis - apart from regular visits by family and friends).

This is already a Ryan Air base airport and (in spite of the misleading name), it is nowhere near Frankfurt as such (so no real competition with Air Malta on the Frankfurt Am Main route).

Many people are already using Ryan Air services from Hahn to Malta, but having to do stop-overs in Pisa or London. Still very cheap, but with the little inconvenience of the stop-over.

Or else Ryan Air may even think of breaking a deal with the brand new LuxAirport operators (Lux.City)...

Luxembourg is a European Union Capital and not having frequent air connections between Malta and one of its capital cities as a member of the EU is like having some villages in Malta with no bus service to Valletta!

It's not only a matter of profits - it's a matter of service...

But profits will come too, as wannabe patrons are many. Plus many new QUALITY tourists from wealthy Luxembourg+its nearby "Grand-Region" [Wallonie(Belgium)/Rheinland-Pfalz+Saarland(Germany)/Lorraine/Alsace(France)-total: 11million ppl.] to sunny Malta!

r ferriggi

Mar 4th 2010, 12:11

birmingham and serrounding clients are crying for routes !!!!!

just have a look at airmalta prices...... please be seated before you do so.

and also that u do not suffer from heart problems.

r ferriggi

Mar 4th 2010, 12:04

this is great great news.

no matter what anyone says. we are fed up with exorbitant prices.

malta birmigham and back..... over 300 euros!!!

may i suggest alternative routes by rryanair to the midlands.... much needed competition....

Peter Wood

Mar 4th 2010, 11:59

What about the South West of England, namley Exeter in Devon. Air Malta only fly there in the Summer. A lot of people in that area would love to visit Malta during the winter months, but have to travel to London to do so. Just an idea ?

M. Cassar

Mar 4th 2010, 11:58

Flights between Malta and Luxembourg, or any other airport close by will be most welcome not only by those of us who work in Luxembourg but also by our families and friends. Such flights would reduce both the hassle and waste of time we usually experience to visit home and the costs we incur. So chances are that visits between the two destinations would increase in frequency by both those working in Luxembourg and their families and friends who would like to see them more often during the year. More weekend visits will be possible since conection times will be greatly reduced. Go for it... it's not only the Maltese who will be coming more often to Malta!

M MIfsud

Mar 4th 2010, 11:52

Good news indeed. Well done to the Government and Ryanair. This year seems to be much better than the previous one and I'm confident that soon the economy will start growing as we all wish, thereby providing jobs for everyone and a steady increase in the standard of living.

mark pace

Mar 4th 2010, 11:49

@s.bezzina........why dont you hire a private jet to get you to luxemborg? did someone grab you by the scruff of the next and make you go work in luxembourg against your will? should the government also sponsor a route for you poor 4 day week workers? cant you afford the flight from brussels(daily) on your pathetic wages?.....come on....get real.....get off the gravy train and come back to malta if its too much hasse to travel to luxembourg. and please leave your cheek behind...

l.azzopardi

Mar 4th 2010, 11:49

LUXEMBOURG.
METZ
or
HAHN !!!

LUXEMBOURG.
METZ
or
HAHN !!!

LUXEMBOURG.
METZ
or
HAHN !!!

L.Attard Bezzina

Mar 4th 2010, 11:47

Ryanair please consider opening a direct link to Israel or Eilat.

Michael O'Leary

Mar 4th 2010, 11:46

Well done to Mr Frankie Zahra on his appointment as Area Manager Operations with Ryanair!

A. Zammit

Mar 4th 2010, 11:43

Luxembourg or, failing that, a flight to Frankfurt Hahn, would be great!!

J Mallia

Mar 4th 2010, 11:42

I find it strange that Ryanair has no link from Malta to Germany. Hahn is one of the major Ryanair bases in Europe.
What's more, its location is such that it services passengers from Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland
It is high time Malta is linked to Frankfurt-Hahn !!

Sébastien VASSALLO

Mar 4th 2010, 11:41

Ryanair must operate a Malta - Frankfurt Hahn flight!

Dennis Debono

Mar 4th 2010, 11:40

Well there are alot of routes...especially North Africa ( this would be a new market to Ryanair)
Others are Portugal ( No route by Airmalta), BENALUX, Poland and eastern countries

Joanna Mizzi

Mar 4th 2010, 11:39

Great news, what about adding routes to East Midlands and/or Birmingham airports? P

C Attard

Mar 4th 2010, 11:39

Hahn, Metz or Eindhoven please!!!!

Joe Falzon

Mar 4th 2010, 11:35

It would be interesting to see how much this will cost the tax payer since all Ryan Air routes are subsidised. What about frequency to these new destinations? The government is saying that this will create more demand for short breaks. Do they know that the only high frequency route Ryan has is just Luton. All other routes are just twice or three time as week just as other non-subsidizied carriers were in the past. To penetrate short breaks you need daily flights.

F. Bugeja

Mar 4th 2010, 11:34

Luxembourg guys !! Frankfurt Hahn !! just somwhere close to this forgotten piece of land in the MIDDLE OF EUROPE !!

Airmalta you have ignored us for 6 years already!!

Stephen Spiteri

Mar 4th 2010, 11:31

Good news. Looking forward to try these new destinations from day 1.

a Borg

Mar 4th 2010, 11:31

GIVE US LUXEMBOURG!!! HANN OR METZ !!!

S. Bezzina

Mar 4th 2010, 11:28

@ joe zammit

and what about malta-luxembourg-malta route. several maltese people visit this city regularly for business meetings and conferences, not to mention the hundreds of maltese working there, who have to take a connecting flight from other airports in order to visit their home country, because there is only one flight (luxair) which operates once a week during the summer season, and not in winter. Can't our national airline introduce a malta-brussels-luxembourg-malta route?

V.Grech

Mar 4th 2010, 11:24

any thoughts for luxembourg - franfurt hahn, hint hint??

Frankie Zahra

Mar 4th 2010, 11:24

Well done to both the Government and Ryanair aboput this agreement ... What about linking -> Eindhoven (Netherlands), Fuertaventura (Spain), Krakow (Poland), Budapest (Hungary), Bratislava (Slovakia) & Prague (Czech Republic) as the new 6 routes operated by the new aircraft based in MLA. All these Routes operated by Ryanair still dont have a base as noted and they should be profitable gateways to MLA since when Air Malta operate to these destinations they are all expensive.

Salvu Felice Pace

Mar 4th 2010, 11:23

A far cry from what we are told about this government by the opposition. Work and investment, and more of them, have become the outstanding characteristics of this Gonzi administration.

Noel Zarb

Mar 4th 2010, 11:20

This is great News!! Well Done Ryanair...I have been using Ryanair for 3 years now in summer and in winter and I should say that I was never disappointed. Great service, no delays, and no luggage loss, or luggage breakages!!!

mario bartolo

Mar 4th 2010, 11:13

Rynair give us LUXEMBOURG !! or METZ of HANN !!

m.farrugia

Mar 4th 2010, 11:10

prosit to all involved, good news indeed both for maltese and attracting more independent travellers to our island

Mario Micallef

Mar 4th 2010, 11:07

and now the cherry on the cake will be the unveiling of the new routes!!!

joe zammit

Mar 4th 2010, 11:05

How about Ryanair servicing brussels. Only Airmalta fly to Brussels and fares are kept extremely high.
We need some competition on this route.

D Cardona

Mar 4th 2010, 11:01

This is awesome!

Wayne Hewitt

Mar 4th 2010, 10:47

Excellent news!!