Ryanair, the low-cost-airline, launched two new twice-weekly routes to Edinburgh and Bristol, amid repeated calls on the government to cut Malta's high airport charges.

Maria Macken, Ryanair sales and marketing executive, told a press conference yesterday that flights to Edinburgh will start on March 31 and run every Tuesday and Saturday.

Flights to Bristol will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays and will start on July 5.

Tickets for both routes cost €25 one-way, including taxes, until January 21.

Ms Macken appealed to the government to reduce the "exorbitant" airport charges, which, she said, are four times higher than other major European airports.

"The government has to lower Malta's airport charges. We are trying to keep our fares as low as possible. If the airport charges are reduced, then we can reduce the €25 fare," she said.

A spokesman for Malta International Airport denied that its charges were the highest in Europe. "We have always done so and will continue to deny it," the spokesman insisted. Ryanair is the only airline that does not include a fuel surcharge in its ticket prices and that will remain, Ms Macken said.

Ryanair also launched one million tickets costing €1, one way including taxes, on flights to Bari and Trapani until March 12. The offer is available until Monday.

The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU said it was positive that Ryanair launched another two routes.

Philip Fenech, the GRTU's head of tourism, leisure and hospitality section, said it was time the MIA adopted a strategy of lower airport charges that would attract larger volumes of tourists to Malta.