Direct flights from Bristol to Malta announced
THERE was more good news for Bristol Airport yesterday with the news that direct flights to Malta are to be launched this summer.
The airport has continued to thrive in the face of the recession and has recently announced a series of new routes in recent weeks.
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Air Malta
As reported in The Post bmi Regional has announced it will be flying to Munich, Milan and Hanover from the airport from the summer.
The announcement came after it emerged Bristol was one of the only regional airports to see passenger numbers increase last year.
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Official annual statistics showed the number of people passing through the airport was up for the third successive year, increasing by 2.8 per cent to just under six million.
And yesterday Air Malta announced it is to operate charter flights from the airport direct to the island from this May.
A spokesman for the airline said: “These charter flights increase accessibility to the islands from Bristol airports and thus offer travellers the opportunity to travel out and back from their airport.
“The operation of such regional services was made possible thanks to the support received from tour operators and travel trade partners in the areas.
Philip Saunders, chief commercial officer at the airline, said: “Air Malta is building on its position in the UK as a leader in the market to Malta.
“Our summer charter operations further confirms the airline’s commitment to boost incoming tourism to Malta from the UK, and to bring Malta closer to their home. These flights also make it much easier for the Maltese market to visit the British regions.”
5 Comments
by camilleri
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 10:37PM
“if i was mayor ferguson i would take a look at arriva bus service in malta, and the prices they charge he would be surprised, and its the same size as bristol aswell.”
by tango
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 8:02PM
“i wish bus fares in bristol were as cheap as in malta even holiday makers get a good deal”
by FromMendip
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 7:58PM
“Spiggett, old bean, why not set up your own airline? You could then fly to Bilbao as often as you pleased.
Some years ago and before Ryanair came onto the Bristol-Malta route, Air Malta used to operate to the island from Lulsgate three times a week in summer. Hasn't the Post got a business editor or correspondent who ought to be familiar with the region's major businesses?
A report appeared in the Welsh press today saying that the Welsh Government's (WG) plan to purchase Cardiff Airport is well on track and the WG will inject £6 million of public money annually (on top of the purchase price of £50 million) including agreeing to underwrite any losses in the first few years accrued by airlines establishing new routes out of South Wales.
Apart from the questionable legality of such a move the money would clearly be subsidies which the First Minister has always denied would happen. It seems they are trying to lure Ryanair away from Bristol Airport by this method. I'm not a fan of Ryanair but a principle is involved and the thought of Mr O'Leary getting his hands on oodles of our money is not an appealing one.
Where does the WG get such money in these straitened times? Of course, from us all. The Westminster block grant to the WG consists of money obtained from tax payers throughout the UK.
No wonder the management of Bristol Airport is unhappy. Their successful and profitable business run entirely by the private sector is likely to be compromised by a nearby airport that is a commercial basket case and can only function with the injection of masses of public money.”
by Alanbristol
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 3:43PM
“Nothing new about Air Malta flying into Bristol during the summer months they have done so for quite a few years on a Tuesday and at one time they did a winter schedule as well
Ryanair flies to Malta 3 times a week during the summer and 2 times a week in the winter.
You must remember that Malta will probably have to go to the European Court for discriminating against tourists and visitors being charged a lot more on the bus service.”
by Spiggett
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 2:43PM
“-And still no flights to the North Coast of Spain?”