Air Malta teamed up with the 'Dive Down to Clean Up' project recently, which encouraged active youth participation in protecting the Maltese heritage through sport.

The project consisted of a series of beach-cleaning activities and enrolment in a diving course. Following the successful completion of the course, the participants had to participate in a number of dives to clean up the sea-bed. Around 40 youths from all walks of life participated in the project.

The activities combined non-formal education, protection of the environment, active citizenship though sports and cleaning up activities on beaches and at diving sites, a spokesperson for the airline said.

The project was the initiative of Lorna Buttigieg, a recent graduate in law from the University of Malta. She said: "Environmental awareness is an issue not to be taken lightly, as the environment impacts upon our lives 24 hours a day, whether we are at work, school, home or in our social lives."

Air Malta's assistance forms part of its 'Committed to the Community' initiative that aims to support and encourage local organisations and activities in various sectors.