The first details of Air Malta's proposed business model under a tentative equity partnership with Alitalia (AZA, Rome Fiumicino) have been revealed.
The Times of Malta, quoting a copy of the plan, says that between 2017 and 2020, Air Malta (Malta International) will be repositioned as a regional Mediterranean carrier specializing in the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) markets as opposed to an O&D operator catering specifically to the Maltese tourism market.
In line with this shift, several loss making European routes will be dropped while frequencies on those that are profitable, such as London Heathrow, Rome Fiumicino, and Brussels National, will be increased. In addition, new routes to Tunis, Tripoli, Casablanca Mohamed V, Larnaca, and even Jeddah International will be developed. In the longterm, Air Malta's fleet will grow from from its current eight (two A319-100s and six A320-200s), to eleven to accommodate the network expansion.
As previously reported, the Maltese government will absorb the new carrier's estimated EUR66 million debt pile while employees deemed surplus to requirements will be transitioned to an as yet-unnamed government entity which would provide the same services albeit as a private sector-based consortium.
A decision on whether or not Alitalia will proceed with its plan to obtain a 49% stake in Air Malta will be made in September/October.
