Air Malta falls out of l💘ve with the A220

The Airbus A220 is no longer on the radar screen of the national airline. Air Malta’s CEO Captain Clifford Chetcuti did not mince his words during Air Malta’s Annual General Meeting held at the Corinthia Hotel in Attard and stated that the aircraft has been closely looked at but the strategy will now be wholly focused on the Airbus A320neo family. “To further improve the Air Malta customer experience, we have outlined a five-year plan to replace all the existing fleet with brand new A320neo’s”, he said.

Captain Clifford Chetcuti was also asked by MAviO about the new training academy which Malta’s flag carrier has got in the pipeline. He quickly quipped that the airline is looking at an ATO that provides ab-initio training up to ATPL. It is envisaged that the academy would even offer tertiary level courses.

Chairman Charles Mangion has revealed that the company is still looking at the Libya route but despite the enthusiasm shown by Minister Konrad Mizzi some months ago, the atmosphere at the AGM was a more sombre one and Mangion did not delve into the subject more than limiting himself to say that it is a destination of interest.  Charles Mangion  also added that Air Malta is planning to add at least three new routes which include destinations in Egypt, Poland and an as yet unnamed country.

The airline has made a profit of €1.2 million which is a reversal of the previous year’s financial result when a loss of €10.8 million was registered. Notwithstanding the profitable financial year, Air Malta has yet to sail out of troubled waters. In his concluding address Captain Clifford Chetcuti reiterated that it all boils down to how fast  it can adapt successfully to change.