Malta's national carrier connecting the island to Europe.
Founded
1973
Headquarters
Luqa, Malta
Air Malta was the national airline of Malta, founded in 1973 and operating scheduled passenger services from Malta International Airport to destinations across Europe and North Africa. The airline played a central role in supporting Malta's tourism industry and connecting the Maltese population to the wider world for over five decades.
The airline faced persistent financial difficulties in its later years, requiring multiple rounds of government restructuring and state aid. In March 2024, Air Malta ceased operations and was succeeded by a new national carrier, KM Malta Airlines, which took over the KM IATA code and assumed operations on select routes.
Throughout its history, Air Malta operated a fleet primarily composed of Airbus narrowbody aircraft and maintained codeshare agreements with several European carriers. It was a member of no major global alliance but had commercial partnerships with various airlines.
Hubs & network
Air Malta's primary hub was Malta International Airport (MLA) in Luqa, Malta.
Fleet
Air Malta operated a fleet of Airbus A320-family aircraft, primarily the A320 and A319, in its final years of operation.
Notable facts
- ›Air Malta was established in 1973 as a joint venture between the Maltese government and Pakistan International Airlines.
- ›The airline officially ceased operations on 31 March 2024 due to sustained financial losses.
- ›It was succeeded by KM Malta Airlines, which launched operations in April 2024.
- ›Air Malta received multiple rounds of European Union-approved state aid throughout its history.
- ›At its peak, the airline served over 30 destinations across Europe and North Africa.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
