Universal Air (VO, Malta International) is planning to operate "a lot more routes than we’ve got this summer" in 2025, following the debut of its first intercontinental route to Tripoli Mitiga and flights to the newly opened Salerno Pontecagnano airport, Chief Executive Simon Cook told Aviation Week.
"Our strategy focuses on routes that aren't mainstream, like our first route into Pecs, Hungary, where larger carriers can’t operate due to the shorter runway. We're targeting regions with limited connectivity to create a unique offering," Cook said.
Without disclosing any specific routes, he said the carrier would realign its network for the upcoming winter season to serve more ski destinations and offer short holiday trips. It is planning to expand its fleet ahead of the next summer season to support its expansion. Cook said that as a small airline, Universal Air is able to quickly react to new market opportunities. It is positioning itself "between the low-cost and full-service model" and wants to avoid competition with Ryanair, the largest airline by capacity at Malta International. However, Universal Air does not shy away from routes that are already served by other airlines.
As it grows, Universal Airlines may look at secondary bases outside Malta.
"If we can find the business case that justifies it, then we have the ability to continue purchasing the aircraft and open up bases around Europe," Cook said.
Having transitioned from a DHC-8-100 operator focused on charters and humanitarian flights into a scheduled carrier, Universal Air currently operates two in-house DHC-8-Q400s. It also wet-leases an E175 from Greece's Marathon Airlines. Its scheduled network covers services from Malta to Kerkyra, Pecs, Palermo International, Nice, Ibiza, Salerno, and Tripoli, and from Pecs to Munich and Kerkyra.
