Alitalia and Air Malta have signed a memorandum of understanding through which the two companies will undertake to jointly develop a Business Plan regarding possible future co-operation, while respecting obligations arising from their respective legislation and regulations.

The Business Plan will include, but will not necessarily be limited to, the following subjects: a) the network plan for the 2002-2003 winter season and for the 2003 summer season, including flights and schedules between Italy and Malta; b) co-ordination of routes and planned operations, definition of code-sharing flights and forecasts for the market and air traffic.

Air Malta took the occasion to formally declare its interest in joining the SkyTeam alliance as an Associate Partner, recognising that its possible participation in the partnership programme would certainly benefit its market growth.

By starting up contacts with Alitalia, Air Malta has taken the opportunity to develop a partnership with one of the leading European carriers, member of a global alliance, in order to take advantage of commercial synergies and of market and network development arising from such co-operation.

Alitalia, for its part, has taken the opportunity to set up long-term co-operation with a reliable carrier in Malta, in order to improve its network connections based on the two hubs of Milan-Malpensa and Rome-Fiumicino, as well as linking more Italian airports with the island of Malta.

Air Malta is the island’s leading airline and currently operates flights between Malta and about fifty destinations in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf States.
Since July 27, 2001, Alitalia has been a partner in SkyTeam, the global alliance between Aeromexico, Air France, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air, set up in June 2000, and providing 8,000 flights a day to more than 500 destinations in 144 countries.

——-