Updated 8pm - Added Air Malta statement

Air Malta staff were hard at work to return the airline to its normal flight schedule after a grounded aircraft in Paris led to a number of delays. 

The aircraft was meant to operate flight KM 467 from Paris Orly to Malta on Friday but was grounded for technical reasons, with a team of Air Malta engineers dispatched to Paris to inspect and fix the aircraft.

A number of flights today, including KM116/7 to/from London Gatwick and KM102/3 to/from London Heathrow were adversely affected as a result. Flights to Catania and Warsaw were also impacted. 

In a statement issued in the evening, the airline said that it had organised a special flight to make up for the Gatwick flight. Passengers booked on KM 116 to Gatwick were rerouted through other airports this morning, the airline said. 

The plane grounded in Paris would soon be fixed and passengers booked on KM467 would be returned to Malta tonight. 

Air Malta confirmed that passengers scheduled to travel on the flight were given complimentary accommodation for the night and refreshments.

The airline apologised for any inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond its control.

Passengers are requested to visit www.airmalta.com for further updates.