Eligible Maltese nationals living abroad will be able to take a cheap Air Malta flight to vote in the spring hunting referendum on April 11, Times of Malta has learnt.

Although the Office of the Prime Minister would not comment when asked about the matter, sources close to the national airline said preparations for the “usual” cheap flight scheme had already started. 

For the 2013 election and the MEP elections last year, flights were offered at €35 inclusive of taxes. Such schemes are normally run on first-come-first-served basis.

About 5,000 eligible voters took advantage of the cheap flight option in the last election, costing taxpayers about €1 million. Although Air Malta operates the cheaper flights, it is the government that forks out the difference in price.

For years, it has been suggested that voting take place in Maltese embassies abroad or through the post, as happens in almost all democratic countries around the world. However, successive governments have preferred the cheap flights offer option.

More in Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com.