Ryanair launches Birmingham-Malta service
Ryanair today performed the first flight of a twice-weekly Birmingham-Malta service.
It also announced that it is holding a European route sale of one million seats at €7 for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in January and February. These “all in” low fares will be available on over 500 of Ryanair’s European routes but must be booked on www.ryanair.com before midnight today.
The seat sale includes all taxes and charges for those paying for Ryanair’s cheapest flights with MasterCard Prepaid, travel with carry on luggage only and decline priority boarding.
Ryanair’s Luis Fernández-Mellado said the new Malta to Birmingham service starts with dares from only €10 one way inclusive of taxes.
Birmingham is one of the largest cities in the United Kingdom offering lot of opportunities for business, football games and shopping for the Maltese people, he said.
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Karl Consiglio
Dec 17th 2010, 18:54
Ryan is such a nice guy.
H. Grech
Dec 16th 2010, 10:34
A message to our incompetent Government....
....why not give Ryanair London Heathrow route too.....and for just a little more, why not ask Ryaniar to take over Airmalta??
This is absolutely ridiculous and we need to believe in our Government !!!
t.farrugia
Dec 17th 2010, 08:01
How I wish he would! Enjoy pricey Airmalta yourself and let others enjoy the same service with Ryanair! If i wanted to choose a 5 star airline I certainly wouldnt choose airmalta!!!!
JAFarrugia
Dec 17th 2010, 08:34
tfarrugia.
Seriously consider what you just said, god forbid a member of your family needs urgent treatment in the UK??? Then what Mr Clever??? Cargo which comes to Malta everyday from all major points in the EU, ???? your mail ???? Your through fare with long haul flights??? Business people who have urgent business in major HUBs etc etc etc.
This is why if you don't understand a subject you generally keep you mouth shut. Take heed.
JAFarrugia
Dec 16th 2010, 08:34
KM will survive and it will survive due to most of it's dedicated staff doing their very best to make it survive. It can operate at a profit if the right routes, aircraft and fare structure is in place. To those below comparing both airlines stop it's a non starter, it's a completely different animal, low cost you get cheap flights full stopt, with KM you get a full service, cargo,medical cases, through fares with other airlines, milage points, and destinations that connect you to city centres and long haul flights, yes you pay extra but that's part and parcel.
Only thing when travelling on low cost is to make sure you have a healthy credit card handy just in case.
JOE BOUVET
Dec 15th 2010, 21:39
Something must be terribly wrong. Eur 10 one way does not even cover tax. Could be our goverment is sponsoring Ryanair to the dettriment of its one airline. When our National airline gets its final resting place along other now defunt companies(seamalta..) we will see it these prices continue. Where is the EU and its Alergy to subsidies.
fred mallia
Dec 15th 2010, 20:58
That's a good news! and our bravi at airmalta had stopped this connection,,,,, well done sinjuri li tridu tkomplu tfallu l-airmalta!!!!!
Godfrey Grima
Dec 15th 2010, 19:03
While RyanSCARE's Malta rep gloats the €10 (+add ons of course) fare, his CEO declared 3 months ago that his airSLIME will be moving away from low cost.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/sep/12/ryanair-move-away-from-low-fares
How can some of you still trust (and $ub$idi$e) Ruinair with your money?
Gordon Fulton
Dec 15th 2010, 20:09
Come on people, if it were not for this airline myself and my Maltees wife could not come over to Malta 2-3 a year spending good cash, there are always swings and roundabouts so maybe they are getting a better deal landing in Malta but not just Malta, Rainair will go to however pays the best deal so they can keep profits up and costs down, no what that is business and will always be, and myself and my wife will always go for they cheapest option. This is one thing the Scots & the Maltees share, good value for money.
Mark Agius
Dec 15th 2010, 18:57
For all those moaning about Ryanair subsidies: the subsidies system works by putting an offer a route which is underserved and opening up for offers for all airlines to apply for it. So Airmalta can apply to operate that ruote just like anybody else. The problem with airmalta is that the more it flies the more it loses due to inefficiences, such as their web-check in system which doesn`t work !
Airmalta itself DOES operate "EU subsidised ruotes", such as the Reggio-Rome service and the flights from Catania to the continent. The problem is that Airmalta tried to use these to part cover their scheduled full-trips, like the Malta-Rome which is now ruined by the time lost in Reggio - making it a better choice to go with Easyjet or Alitalia (which both fly to Fiumicino like Airmalta) since the fly-time is 90 minutes and not 4 hours!
People who say that it is just the subsidies which are killing airmalta should ask themselves how-come Easyjet is able to compete on the Fiumicino and Malpensa routes WITHOUT subsidy.
Airmalta is not ruined by subsidies but by the ridiculously-large amount of office/ground-workers in the age where IT took over.
Philip Vella
Dec 15th 2010, 21:44
mark the thing is that this government is a hypocrite. how can he issue route developement or subsidies for birmingham when this has been served for the past 35 years by KM. The least he should have done is subsidise KM on this said route instead of letting km close the route and then give it to ryanair!!
Joe Grima Brussels
Dec 15th 2010, 18:09
To all those who prefer Ruinair to Airmalta, our National Airline, just have a peep at
http://www.ihateryanair.org/ryanair-service-so-bad-even-hitler-wont-fly-them
OK, it's a joke, but many jokes are created out of true facts!!!!!
Victor Vella Give your brain a chance! If Ryanair ever becomes our National Airline, shouldn't we FIRST have to change our Nationality? Or they change theirs??
v.farrugia
Dec 15th 2010, 18:18
You're hilarious!! I flew Ryanair many times ..flights were always on schedule, leg space was even better than on AirMalta and i basically had the same experience as with airmalta...Ok, we didn't have the half a sandwich offered on airmalta but it was very much worth every penny. still choose ryanair over the much overpriced airmalta!!!
Joe Grima Brussels
Dec 15th 2010, 18:52
My dear V Farrugia. On my part, I never flew Ryanair, and God forbid I ever will! Comparing cost, service, and other issues between AirMalta and Ryanair is not that possible. It's like comparing a five star hotel to a three star (or less!) hotel. If one likes using three star hotels, he cannot complain that five star hotels are costlier. It's one' free choice. One only gets what he pays for! By the way, which leg space are you referring to as being better than that in Airmalta? In the cockpit?? I believe that Ryanair cram in many passengers more than Airmalta do, in the same type of aircraft!
v.farrugia
Dec 15th 2010, 19:24
what you believe is not what actually happens...i flew ryanair so i can speak from experience....yes, leg space in passenger area was very comfortable ...and service was always very efficient. i'm sorry dear but u havent put me and many other off from flying ryanair by saying what you believe. enjoy airmalta!
J. Pace
Dec 16th 2010, 03:06
@Joe Grima Brussels
You said you never flew RyanAir, so HOW CAN YOU COMPARE Ryan Air with anything else? I learnt in life that prior you criticize and comment on anything, you need to have a valid reason to do so. In your case you are just speculating on what others say. Very naive indeed.
Furthermore, RyanAir is one of the few airlines that are making huge profits, while others are struggling to survive. So their business model works compared to other airlines.
Last time I went to Birmingham with Airmalta we had a stop I think at Bristol. The flight took 5 hours, the plane needed to refuel and thus we had to get out of the plane. The flight from Newcastle was also a nightmare with a stop. Do you call this a 5 star service?
Now we have the option to fly to many locations, and if it is convenient for me, I take the flight. I love to go to Spain, with Airmalta it is expensive and impossible in winter, but now with 35Euros I can go whenever I want to.
R. Azzopardi
Dec 16th 2010, 12:24
VFarrugia,
Do you want to travel in style? then PAY FOR IT!!!! Many of us couldn't care less HOW we get to another country, just as long as it gets the job done with as little fuss as possible and as little cost as possible. I have used Ryanair on mnay occasions and so far, I have had no reason to complain. I cannot complain of Air Malta's service either but I am not willing to pay for some more "comfort".
T.Farrugia
Dec 15th 2010, 18:08
That's some great news...go on Ryanair ...we need even more flights...no thanks to pricey AirMalta....and to all the moaners around here ....enjoy paying higher prices for the same service. ....I'm soon flying to the UK....Airmalta's ticket was over 400 Euro and Ryanair was under Eur100 .....my choice was Easy. We choose Ryanair!.....
Charles Massa
Dec 15th 2010, 18:05
Gonzi ma jistax jissusidja lil l Air Malta imma jissussidja lil bicca kumpanija barranija li wara kollox ma thaddimx persuna wahda maltija. Il profitt li taghmel il Ryananir imur ghand il barrani. U din l europa li tant Gonzi jiftahar bija. kif thallih jissusidja il barrani mela l ligijient mhux l istess ghal kulhadd
w.scicluna
Dec 15th 2010, 18:28
Sur Massa jekk inti kuntent ittir ma Air Malta u jisirquk haj, hadd mhu sidek ta. Rianair qed ituna l-possibilta li insierfru bi ftit flus u fl ahhar mill ahhar, l-but jaffettwa.
K FARRUGIA
Dec 15th 2010, 18:56
veru kas ta meta wiehed li jara sal ponta ta mniehru!!!mela l eluf kbar ta turisti li jigu maghha fejn jonfquhom il flus???ir rizultati jihdru, ma nitkellmux b passjoni, l artiklu t hawn fuq m ghandu x jaqsam xejn ma dan. dawn ahbarijiet sbieh ta kumpanijji barranin li ghandhom fiducja f dan il pajjiz. kemm se ndumu neqirdu u naraw kollox negattiv??!!
J. Pace
Dec 15th 2010, 19:58
1) Wrong Mr, Massa, Yesterday I came from a short holiday from Seville, the pilot was Maltese and one of the flight attendants (male) was Maltese too.
2) Ask hoteliers etc. in Malta and ask them if they want RyanAir out of Malta as many people here want.
3) I fly frequently and use many different airlines. The only thing I complain on Ryan Air is that normally you have the longest walk since it always park t the last gate, otherwise they were always on time and safe.
C Cassar
Dec 15th 2010, 18:05
Ryan Air is threatening to pull all of its services from Germany because there is a departure tax applied to ALL airlines from 1st January 2010 of around €6. What most people here don't understand is that this company starts to threaten governments if is doesn't get special subsidies (since it doesn't want to pay this tax because other airlines have room to absorb it). Ryan Air will dump any airport overnight if it isn't making huge profits. It doesn't care a hoot about it's customers requirements or commitments.
Fly at your own risk but please do not complain when it all goes pear shaped. The more savvy traveller gives them a very wide berth.
Fred Beach
Dec 16th 2010, 01:10
It`s the passenger that pays the taxes, . Ryanfair hate taxes, that why they highlight their fare and taxes separately.
C Fenech
Dec 15th 2010, 17:45
Incredible how we manage to moan once again ..... to all "defendants" of Airmalta (who have always done a great job but at ridiculous prices), yes the Government (like all other governments) will subsidise Ryanair to fly to a destination .... this subsidy at average european airports (including malta) will range from €15 to €30 per passenger ....
Ryanair offers flights at €10 one-way incl taxes so at most, with the subsidy this will they will receive €40 (€10 from passenger + €30 from government) each way ... €80 return from Birmingham incl taxes .....
Airmalta will charge anything between €230 - €350 for the same flight so the difference is definitely not in the "subsidy" but in the way the airline is run ......
and for all those who argue that airmalta doesnt receive government subsidies from our taxes stop and think again .... Airmalta costs us taxpayers FAR more than Ryanair does each year ... not to mention the very timely transfer of land to Airmalta in 2004 just before joining the EU .....
carmel pace
Dec 15th 2010, 20:30
if you are going to write about something the least you can do is say the truth. First of all Air malta fares in general are more expensive than Ryan but it is not fair quoting the lowest faire on Ryan air with the 230 on AirMalta . I have seen cheap fares on Air Malta routes and expensive ones on Ryan. As for subsidies please also note that in 2006 the government negotiated a route subsidy scheme worth 58.6 million euro that all went to low cost airlines.The "land" you mentioned was a mere book exercise to improve the company assets because of losses incurred. The land in question is the current head office in Luqa. Since then Air Malta relinquished in favour of the government hotels that had another 65 years for Holiday Inn and hal ferh . The government took most of the proceeds of the sales and gave airmalta back the investment made. You might also consider the money left on the island by air malta in taxes and payroll which the country will lose.
clifton gatt
Dec 15th 2010, 17:29
Robbing Peter to pay Paul.............Not gving any subsidies to Airmalta but yes to Ryanair......That is what is fair play.Give us a break.
Jim (James) Davidson
Dec 15th 2010, 16:49
Great, great news. Being a Brummie, born and bred, living in Malta and Gozo for the past seven years, I can now travel back and forth more frequently than ever before, for a fraction of the cost... which also means I can go back to watching the great Aston Villa as often as I can manage! But seriously, having an airline like Ryanair operating from B'ham also means that family, friends and acquaintances of mine will be looking at taking holidays in Malta and Gozo in a different light, knowing that the airfare here won't cost them an arm and a leg. This is very good news indeed.
m.cutajar
Dec 15th 2010, 16:34
To all Runair fans.....wait till the Subsidies are no longer given & you'll see how fast these low cost will end their so called low cost flts. ( So called beacuse eveyone is paying from taxes - the subsidies)
Just have a look at what is happening in the German Sector.......
Mark Caruana
Dec 15th 2010, 17:34
Can we be positive on something? Why all this moaning. The subsidies are there yes but some tourists are coming and Hotel employees in their thosands are still having food on their tables. I do respect Air Malta and it gives a sound service. I do use it a lot but why this scepticism on low cost? Why can't we find methods to compete? For example I travel Airmalta cause I find it is more trusworthy and doesnt cancel flights easily. When I travel Ryanair I will go to a single destination. I'm afraid to use low cost if I have to transit. On the other hand I cannot but admit that Ryanair and other low cost cxarriers have opened new gates to and from our beloved country. Let that be!
Johnnie Gail
Dec 15th 2010, 16:30
Boo Boo to Pricey Air Malta and Welcome to the best bargain airline Ryan Air. Thje service might be crap but the price is right.,
G A Bonello
Dec 15th 2010, 16:27
Air Malta ran the BHX route as there was a demand from the Uk Tour Operators to fly to Malta from there. Unfortunately, more people are abandoning Tour Operators and are booking holidays online. UK Tour Operators no longer wanted large allocations on Air Malta flights from BHX, so KM found it financially non-viable to carry on the route. Therefore, low cvost carriers step in, exactly the same as what happened to other KM UK routes (as well as Spanish routes).
The Maltese market alone cannot support Air Malta with demand for all airports, so they have to rely on Tour Operators buying up large allocations. Air Malta has always been operating as a "charter airline flying scheduled routes" with spare seats taken up by the local market.
G A Bonello
Dec 15th 2010, 16:26
Air Malta ran the BHX route as there was a demand from the Uk Tour Operators to fly to Malta from there. Unfortunately, more people are abandoning Tour Operators and are booking holidays online. UK Tour Operators no longer wanted large allocations on Air Malta flights from BHX, so KM found it financially non-viable to carry on the route. Therefore, low cvost carriers step in, exactly the same as what happened to other KM UK routes (as well as Spanish routes).
The Maltese market alone cannot support Air Malta with demand for all airports, so they have to rely on Tour Operators buying up large allocations.
Chris Spiteri
Dec 15th 2010, 16:01
Dear Ryanair,
Many many thanks for more low cost routes!!!
As Mr. B Briffa said, when are you gonna include Paris in our routes? We have been paying lots of cash to go to the French capital with KM, therefore we need an alternative as soon as possible!!
See you in February for Stockholm, JUST CAN'T WAIT!!
Jonathan Mizzi
Dec 15th 2010, 15:37
I really pity all the people (I guess Air Malta employees) complaining about Ryan Air. If you are happy paying extra and being served a sandwich by a fifty year old hostess, please go ahead and book with Air Malta. But leave us common people travel as highly affordable fares.
Mark Busuttil
Dec 15th 2010, 15:22
THANK YOU RYAN AIR!!!!!!!!
@to all the moaners... bla bla bla
Victor Vella
Dec 15th 2010, 15:18
While Air Malta cancel its flights to BHX, Ryan Air is making flights. Well done Ryanair. You will soo be the National Carrier of Malta.
A. Bartolo
Dec 15th 2010, 16:36
Mr. Vella, I'm sorry to tell you that you don't deserve to be a maltese citizen. If you like to fly with Ryanair do so but for goodness show some respect to your nationality.
Victor Vella
Dec 15th 2010, 17:49
Dear Mr Bartolo I have the National Airline to my hearth more than you have. What do you want me to say that it was Wistin Gatt that said that we can live withiout our National airline.. His regime gave and paid to Ryanair Air Malta staff to handle its flights and money from my taxes and your taxes to help the airline fills the seats. The Gonzi regime, yes, is helping and abiding Ryanair to be the National carrier of Malta. Not with words, but with deeds. The Gonzi PN does not want repeat for billions times do not want Air Malta to continue existing. All you have to do is to keep Air Malta to your pride and continue to live in illusions. You are one of those who live in Mars . There are a lot like you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P Spiteri
Dec 15th 2010, 14:45
How sad. The national career stopping this route and Ryanair starting to operate it within weeks! I really hope that Ryanair is NOT getting any subsidy from our taxes as this is definately not a new route. Something is very fishy here.
T Mifsud
Dec 15th 2010, 16:08
Of course they have subsidies. The government killed the National carrier with two blows, subsidies to Ryanair and ignoring the National carrier's problems for as long as they have been in power
John. J. Galea-Axiak
Dec 15th 2010, 14:42
Thanks Ryanair for this new destination. Can you please launch flights from Malta to Berlin?
J.Scicluna
Dec 15th 2010, 15:16
What NEW destination?! Air Malta has been flying to/from BHX for the past 20 years or more without a single penny in subsidies.
As for Berlin...forget it! Mrs Merkel had the guts (more than can be said of OUR Governmnet) to say "NO" to RUINAIR when they refused to pay the new EUR8.00 tax so RUINAIR picked up their football and walked away.
A. Bartolo
Dec 15th 2010, 16:29
If you want to go to Berlin you have to book with other airlines because Ryanair is not ready to pay taxes in major airport. It offers cheap flights with the blessing of our goverment who never gave any subsidies to our nataional airline. Now it wants to save it because the hoteliers are pressing him again as they are concerned about their business.
r ferriggi
Dec 15th 2010, 14:19
anyone can illuminate me why brum summer schedule is not up yet please on the ryanair site??
thanks
A Anderson
Dec 15th 2010, 14:16
@Ryanair:
When will you start flying to Stansted please?
M.Cachia
Dec 15th 2010, 15:30
Ryanair only flys from airports that are desperate for the business as Ryanair, as Panorama put it, will only do business if it can dictate the rules. Last time I checked Stanstead was doing very well thank you so most probably you won't see any flights there soon.
R Saliba
Dec 15th 2010, 16:35
@M.Cachia Ryanair flies to over 100 destinations from Stansted
AAnderson
Dec 16th 2010, 18:04
Three years ago Air Malta used to fly from Stansted three times a week, then it went down to twice a week, then once, then eventually to none! So... what's the option? Have another airline covering the route, I say. Malta can only gain from having people come from the East of England!
B. Pollacco
Dec 15th 2010, 14:11
Really great initiative by ryanair as this will help all soccer fans who have there favorite team in the north of england :)
Philip Vella
Dec 15th 2010, 14:03
Here we go again! Air Malta operates weekly flights to Birmingham since its first years without any subsidy. Air Malta stops its service to Birmingham. Ryanair comes in and operates this route with subsidies. What a level playing field. No wonder Air Malta is where it is.
ray pace
Dec 15th 2010, 14:03
....ie if Ryanair adds a friday flight to Birmingham Maltese Midlands clubs supporters will be able to follow their teams more. Up the Villa.
B Briffa
Dec 15th 2010, 14:01
Dear Ryanair,
You made holidays accessible to the poorest of familes.
What are you waiting to lauch the Glasgow Prestwick and Paris Beauvais routes?
We love Ryanair.
J.Scicluna
Dec 15th 2010, 14:01
SHAME on the Government and MTA!
"Ryanair’s Luis Fernández-Mellado said the new Malta to Birmingham service starts with dares from only €10 one way inclusive of taxes."
This means that RUINAIR do not even pay Taxes over and above all the subsidies it is getting from all the Maltese Tax Payers.
How could one ever expect Legacy Carriers to compete in such an unfair market...
...unless all this talk of saving Air Malta is just baloney, and the PN Government's ONLY intention is to destroy KM. Seems like it still rankles that it was a Labour Government that gave us a National Airline.
Philip Vella
Dec 15th 2010, 15:56
RAGEL KBIR INT SIEHBI!!
Maurizio Abela
Dec 15th 2010, 13:49
Ryan Air > THANKS VERY MUCH FOR MAKING MY DREAM COME TRUE!!!
This means I can go every home games of my beloved WEST BROMWICH ALBION... Boing Boing :)
J Farrugia
Dec 15th 2010, 14:01
maurizio take care and beware of airpockets and other fringe benefits.
Philip Vella
Dec 15th 2010, 14:13
Maurizio just thank Dr. Gonzi and co. Ryanair is not doing us any favours. Ryanair is subsidised by your government from our taxes to operate these flights. That is why it can afford to give chepaer fares, because the rest of the fare is paid from all us from our taxes through route subsidies schemes. And if you want to know more Air Malta has been operating for years without receiving any penny. But when it deciede to stop operating, here comes THE SAVIOUR and start operating throught route develeopement and subsidies schemes.
Sarah Galea
Dec 15th 2010, 15:05
Pray the flight it is not cancelled, if so don't go beg Airmalta to bring you back home