Malta’s accessibility from the U.K is set to skyrocket in 2010 with a number of new routes being offered from across the country. Ryanair opened two new direct routes from Bournemouth and Leeds-Bradford airports in March 2010 whilst Easyjet will add a new service from Liverpool John Lennon airport from June 2010 onwards. In addition, BMI Baby has confirmed it will open a new route from East Midlands airport from 29 May this year. This news comes after low-cost flights to Malta more than doubled in 2009 when both Easyjet and Ryanair increased direct access from regional UK airports.

Ryanair kicked off its two new routes to Malta from Bournemouth and Leeds-Bradford airports in March 2010. The Leeds service runs twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays whilst the Bournemouth service runs Tuesdays and Saturdays. Ryanair already launched two new routes from the UK to Malta in 2009. In March its twice-weekly Edinburgh service operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and in July its Bristol service on Wednesday and Sundays.

Ryanair and the Maltese Government have additionally struck a deal for Malta to become a Ryanair hub from May 2010 servicing six new European routes and 19 routes in total.

Easyjet will launch its new direct flights to Malta from Liverpool John Lennon airport in June 2010. The service will run twice weekly. The low-cost airline already opened a new route from Newcastle to Malta in May 2009 with twice weekly flights.

BMI Baby’s new service from East Midlands’ Airport to Malta begins operating on 29 May this year for the duration of the summer months and will fly on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The national flag carrier Air Malta will continue with its existing schedule of up to three flights daily to Malta from London Heathrow. The airline has already increased its frequency from Gatwick airport this year and will continue to operate its scheduled Birmingham flight and charter flights from Bristol, Cardiff, Norwich, Newcastle and Exeter from May 2010 onwards.

Alex Incorvaja, Director of the Malta Tourism Authority in the U.K and Ireland, comments: “Whilst Air Malta continues to serve major airports across the U.K, the new low-cost routes open up regional and smaller airports, ensuring that Malta is easily accessible and a good-value option for U.K holidaymakers.”