Air Malta Prepares Shutdown After EU Refuses Further Financial Aid

Another one bites the dust: After years of financial trouble, Malta’s national carrier Air Malta will cease operations at the end of 2023. According to multiple sources, the carrier seeks to carry out operations in 2023, then close down and re-emerge under a new name like ITA Airways as the successor of Alitalia.

The airline’s CEO announced this step is necessary after the European Union indicated it will refuse further financial help requested by the Maltese government. A sum of €290 million has been requested two years ago, but no progress has been made. Air Malta seemingly took action before any bad news from Brussels could arrive. The EU bailed out the company already in 2012.

The airline, not to be confused with Ryanair’s subsidiary Malta Air, has yet to make an official announcement on the matter. The only source confirming the closure is an interview with chairman David Curmi. Given the airline is fighting a losing financial battle for the better part of the decade now, this might be one of the best ways going forward. Interestingly, tickets for 2024 flights are still on sale on Air Malta’s website, though this might change in the next couple of days.

Air Malta is the national carrier of the small Mediterranean island of Malta. It currently flies a fleet of six Airbus A320 aircraft out of Luqa International airport (MLA). The carrier serves 24 destinations and is communicating the news at a curious time, as the upcoming summer holidays usually means big business for Mediterranean carriers. We will keep you updated on the situation if the carrier announces a date when it is about to end operations.

As of now, passengers with existing bookings in 2023 seemingly don’t need to worry. However, we strongly recommend not making any new bookings with the troubled airline.

Sources: Newsbook, CH Aviation

Cover Picture: Photo by Isaac Struna on Unsplash