Malta’s national airline will start flying to the northern Italian city of Parma from June 2.

Services will leave at 12.25pm on Mondays and 8.45am on Thursdays for Giuseppe Verdi Airport, one of the four Milan-area airports alongside Linate, Malpensa and Bergamo.

“This is the first time Air Malta is flying scheduled services to Parma. We are planning to carry 11,000 passengers with a seat factor of 70-75 per cent,” said Edwin Caruana, Air Malta’s country manager for Italy.

Prices range from €110 for an economy return ticket and €424 for a Club Class return.

Parma forms part of the Emilia-Romagna region famous for its ham, cheese, architecture and beautiful surrounding countryside.

The city has also been revered by opera lovers (who flock to its Teatro Regio) since the days of Verdi, who was born in nearby Roncole.

Parma’s many historic monuments include the 11th-century cathedral and its baptistery, which is considered to be one of medieval Europe’s most important buildings.

Other attractions include the Teatro Farnese, Camera di San Paolo and Parco Ducale.

“Air Malta’s new route to Parma is welcome news,” said Simon Kamsky of the Malta Tourism Authority.

“We expect that the two weekly flights between June and October will generate new traffic from the region of Emilia Romagna.

“Together with Air Malta we will have the opportunity to attract groups of tourists, both from the incentive and leisure business, as well as weekend break travellers, diving enthusiasts, English language students and those interested in our diverse cultural history.

“This route will support the growth of tourism to Malta from Italy, which since 2009, is the second most important tourist market, with over 235,000 Italians visiting Malta in 2013.

“Parma has a lot to offer and represents a new destination that the Maltese can discover.”