Ryanair added three European destinations from Malta to its winter flight schedule yesterday, making its routes to Krakow, Liverpool and Milan available all year round.

The routes, previously only available in the summer, are expected to fly some 600,000 passengers to and from the island this year.

The no-frills airline also added an extra weekly flight to Bristol, Edinburgh and Luton, bringing these destinations up to three, two and five trips respectively.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Ryanair’s Malta representative Luis Fernandez-Mellado said the firm, which makes up a quarter of the local market, is expected to carry more than a million passengers on its Malta services this year.

Last year, approximately 900,000 people flew with Ryanair through Malta International Airport.

“These new flights are part of our constant effort to provide year round access to Malta and combat the seasonality involved in air travel,” Mr Fernandez-Mellado said.

Ryanair currently provides 30 summer destinations to and from the island while the off-peak winter months see the company cut its routes by a third.

“We want to offer more, but rising fuel prices means it’s often more profitable not to fly at all,” Mr Fernandez-Mellado said.

The Irish low-cost airline, known for its added charges, believes its mantra that “lower costs always win” was instrumental in weathering the turbulent economic climate.

“All over, Europe airlines have been closing down, but we have seen steady year-on-year growth. Our approach is clearly working,” Mr Fernandez-Mellado said.

Ryanair recently placed the largest order of Boeing commercial aircraft ever made by an EU airline, spending €15.6 billion on 175 B737s.

Mr Fernandez-Mellado also announced the opening of its customary ‘seat sale’, which offers bargain hunters the chance to fly to a number of European destinations between July and August for €22.99.

Tickets went on sale yesterday and must be purchased before Monday.