Air Malta said this afternoon that it will increase its capacity on the London Gatwick route after the announcement by British Airways that it would drop the route from October 25.

The airline said that instead of a daily service to London Gatwick, it will operate nine weekly flights. ITe airline will increase another weekly flight for the Christmas travelling period, whilst larger aircraft will be deployed on all the daily Gatwick services in the remaining winter months.

Brock Friesen, Chief Officer Commercial said “This is line with the airline’s commercial strategy to extend the summer season and reduce the traditional traffic slowdown between the summer and winter months. The additional shoulder traffic will bolster the local tourism industry during this challenging period. Gatwick airport is one of most attractive London airports vis-à-vis leisure short break traffic that requires frequent and convenient schedules. Air Malta is committed to offer both all year round.”

The airline has also decided to increase the Summer 2010 frequency from 12 to 14 weekly flights.

"These decisions are Air Malta’s first steps to ensure that Malta has sustainable seat capacity available to the London area for the next 18 months," Air Malta said.

Earlier, Mark Moscardini, British Airways Commercial Manager for Italy and Malta said BA was suspending services to Malta.

"We are facing one of the harshest trading environments of our history. We continually review our business and make changes to our flight schedules to meet demand and we will only operate routes if they are profitable for the business. The suspension of the Malta to London Gatwick route is part of a company wide review of routes."

Customers booked to travel with British Airways after 25th October 2009, should contact British Airways on 800 62142 in order to have their ticket refunded.

This is the second time that British Airways had ceased operations to Malta. The first time was in the late 1980s, when it also cited costs. The London-Malta route was then taken over by British Airways franchise GB Airways. Last year GB Airways was taken over by Easyjet which also took over the London-Malta route, but British Airways had maintained the Malta-Gatwick route.