Air Malta will consolidate their flight schedule for January and February on certain routes due to reduced demand resulting from the ongoing pandemic and Omicron variant. The airline does not plan on canceling any of the 16 routes they are operating for winter.
Today (January 5, 2022), Air Malta announced that they will consolidate flight frequencies for January and February on certain routes, without canceling any of the 16 routes in operation. The change is due to a dramatic downturn in demand stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Omicron variant.
Commenting on the flight frequency consolidations, Air Malta’s Executive Chairman, David G. Curmi, said,
“We are taking such decisions to match customer demand and avoid flying near empty aircraft. Such assessments are ongoing and will continue until demand returns to healthy levels. In these situations, we need to be very agile and financially disciplined to be able to adjust seat capacity and focus on efficiency to protect our liquidity and cash performance. Given the unprecedented times we are living in and the challenges that Air Malta is facing, we are continuously optimising our network for profitability and liquidity, and we plan to continue to do so without compromises.
“In this ever-changing scenario, it is very difficult to make any predictions, however Air Malta is committed to remain an all-year-round vital link to mainland Europe not only for travel and tourism but also for the transfer of urgent medical cargo, mail and other import and export freight required for our various industries.”
Also commenting on the airline’s operational adjustments, Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer, Roy Kinnear, added,
“Following the surge of the Omicron variant and the introduction of lockdowns or partial lockdowns and travel restrictions across much of Europe, Air Malta saw a slowdown in new bookings and received a number of cancellations for travel over the holiday period and in January and February. The cancellations came across most of Air Malta’s markets with varying degree. These fluctuating trends have been typical last year with markets opening and closing depending on threat levels. The combination of the current slowdown in bookings and with January and February being naturally lower demand months, has unfortunately driven an increased level of frequency consolidation compared to previously anticipated, but commercially necessary to do so.
“Most airlines vary their allocated capacity throughout the year as Malta’s tourism inflows are highly seasonal, with the peak season in the summer months from July to September and the low season in the winter months from November to February. While other airlines operate at a significantly lower capacity in the winter months, Air Malta ensures connectivity with the major European cities and key airports all year round.
Founded in 1974, Air Malta is the airline of the Maltese Islands and typically serves 35 destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean. The carrier operates a fleet of four Airbus A320neos and three Airbus A320ceos, and has transported over 55 million guests to and from the Maltese Islands since their founding.
Source: Air Malta