Air Malta is set to be relaunched on March 31, 2024, under a new entity called “KM Malta Airlines,” as announced by the Maltese government. 

The decision to wind down the existing legal entity and relaunch Malta’s national carrier under a different corporate structure had already been proposed earlier in 2023. It became apparent that Air Malta could not sustain operations without continued subsidies. 

According to an official statement issued by Air Malta on October 2, 2023, the selected formula is the result of extensive negotiations between the government of Malta and the European Commission regarding the fate of the country’s national airline. 

The Maltese government is committed to preserving a national airline, considering it a strategic asset due to the country’s insularity and the importance of the tourism industry to Malta. 

Operationally, little will change: Air Malta will continue to operate in its current form until March 30, 2024, and the new airline will take over its operations starting the next day. 

The five-year business plan for the reborn Air Malta has been developed by external consultants and envisions a fleet of eight Airbus A320neo aircraft, both leased and owned. The new aircraft will feature a two-class cabin with a total of 168 seats, including the capacity to accommodate up to 36 premium-class passengers.  

These aircraft will serve 17 routes departing from Luqa International Airport (LAQ), primarily to destinations in mainland Europe. 

The newly formed carrier is expected to inherit the entire Air Malta workforce and, presumably, most of its assets. It will be 100% government-owned.