Air Malta is to add a plane to its fleet of aircraft as of next summer, with the airline saying the addition will give it more flexibility to service popular routes and add new ones. 

The decision to grow its fleet of aircraft was sanctioned by the company's board of directors earlier this week, on the recommendation of the carrier's management. 

In a statement, the company said that the decision was in line with its growth strategy and would allow Air Malta to boost its seat capacity and fuel growth in passenger numbers. 

The national airline's commercial team is currently carrying out market research into potential destinations Air Malta can expand into. Some of these destinations "may be currently unserved by other carriers," the company said in its statement. 

Air Malta currently has a fleet of eight planes, made up of Airbus A-319s and A-320s.

The airline currently carries an estimated 1.6 million passengers every year. It has been hobbled by financial difficulties, despite an EU-sanctioned bailout some years back. 

Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi has said that his main focus will be on turning the airline's fortunes around and ensuring it can stand on its own two feet. 

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