British Airways has announced it will be returning to Malta in the spring. The airline’s daily service from London Gatwick starts on March 30 in advance of the peak summer holiday season.

Hand-baggage-only tickets in Euro Traveller (economy) will start from £55 (€65) one way, including all taxes and charges. Seats in Euro Traveller for customers who choose to take a bag, including all taxes and charges, start at £67 (€79) one way, and in Club Europe (business), one-way fares start at £274 (€323).

The company originally began flying to and from Malta in 1947. It stopped in March 1989 but subsequently returned until operations were halted once more in 2009.

Peter Simpson, British Airways’ director Gatwick, said: “We are delighted to be launching this new route to Malta for 2014, allowing us to return to the island. We believe the convenient timings for the services will make the route attractive to tourists as well as those visiting friends and relatives.

“Expanding our leisure route network at Gatwick is fantastic news for British Airways customers, offering them even greater choice, along with our range of highly competitive fares, generous hand-baggage allowances and great onboard service.”

The new Malta route will be served by a combination of Boeing 737 and Airbus 319/320 aircraft.

Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella said the new route will further strengthen Malta’s links with London and should be a big help to the leisure and conference sectors.

British Airways’ holiday flights will be further boosted by more services from Gatwick to Salzburg, Naples, Dubrovnik, Marrakech and Catania during summer 2014.