Air Malta plans to carry more passengers on fewer aircraft this winter as the airline seeks to maximise operational efficiency.

The airline issued a statement after Times of Malta reported last week that senior Air Malta officials were contemplating a further reduction of its fleet by up to four aircraft in winter.

Yesterday, hoteliers warned against plans by Air Malta - which had originally operated 12 aircraft - to reduce its fleet further. 

In a statement chief executive Philip Micallef said the airline's management had drafted plans to increase aircraft utilisation hours this winter and operate the same amount - 4,452 flight sectors - with seven aircraft.

“Air Malta’s ultimate aim is to do more with less and increase productivity of its assets. Various initiatives are being taken such as operating more night flights, carrying more maintenance during the night, improving aircraft turnaround times and modifying flight departure times.

“Air Malta reviews the profitability of all flights routes and optimises its capacity accordingly,” he said.

He said that all 12 Air Malta aircraft were leased at a cost of millions of euros each year.

In the past few years Air Malta leased out two aircraft to foreign operators to recover part of its leasing costs.

The company was now in the process of ensuring sustainability so that it would be in a position to meet future requirements, Mr Micallef said.

He said that all the initiatives had to be understood in the light of the constraints imposed by the restructuring plan agreed with the European Commission.

“This plan limits Air Malta by the number of flights it can operate on certain profitable routes.

“Air Malta will continue to be the backbone of Maltese tourism assisting the local operators whilst at the same time supporting the local community and other business enterprises all year round,” Mr Micallef said.