Low cost airline easyJet announces a new Mediterranean summer route out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, taking off in June. Tony McDonough reports
A new route to Malta in the Mediterranean will take off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) in June.
Low cost airline easyJet will operate the twice a week return service on Tuesdays and Sundays. The carrier has finalised an agreement which sees the airline acquire the SR Technics maintenance facility in Malta, allowing it to expand capacity.
Over the course of the year, easyJet has also launched new routes from Malta to Bristol, Amsterdam, Basel and Nice and will now operate 10 routes across Europe, growing its presence there by 30%.
Since easyJet started flying to Malta in March 2008, the airline has flown more than 4m passengers and is now flying more than 400,000 people every year.
Ali Gayward, Malta country manager for easyJet, said the new route would “not only enable us to offer customers more choice to enjoy this fantastic destination, but importantly also connect Malta with the rest of Europe”.
She added: “We have long held links with Malta and look forward to further strengthening these in the coming years, not least through the acquisition of a maintenance hangar where we will maintain our fleet of aircraft.
“Our continued growth and strong relationship with the Malta Tourism Authority has enabled us to invest in helping to promote the island and highlights the popularity of the market where we will operate a third more flying this summer.
Malta International Airport chief executive, Alan Borg, added: “The addition of the Liverpool route to easyJet’s schedule will support Malta International Airport’s efforts to enhance connectivity with the UK, as this market, one of our biggest in terms of tourism, edges closer to pre-pandemic traffic levels.
“We are particularly pleased to see easyJet now operate a record schedule to 10 airports across Europe from Malta, most recently expanding our reach to key destinations in the Netherlands, Switzerland and France.
“These developments are a testament to our shared commitment to not only establish more convenient air links with the UK but to build year-round connectivity to the Maltese Islands.”
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Paul Winfield, aviation director for LJLA, also said: “We are delighted to welcome this new service to Malta with easyJet – a destination that we know is popular with holidaymakers from across the Liverpool city region and beyond.
“With just 9% of all flights to Malta from the North West currently served from Liverpool, this route has significant opportunity to grow from here.”