Air Malta and Qatar Airways Sign Comprehensive Codeshare Partnership

Air Malta and Qatar Airways have announced the signing of a comprehensive codeshare agreement.

The Agreement reinforces Air Malta’s drive to expand its network and extend its reach. It also shows Qatar Airways’ long-term commitment to Maltese passengers and to boosting tourism to the Islands.

Sales will start from today with the first codeshare flights to operate from 9 March. The codeshare agreement increases Malta’s connectivity with Africa, the Middle East, Australia and Asia by enabling Air Malta’s passengers to travel on Qatar Airways’ flights between Malta, Doha and onward to more than 60 destinations.

Air Malta will place its code and flight numbers on several of these Qatar flights thereby allowing the Maltese Airline to participate in these markets not only to and from Malta but also connecting to and from other destinations that it serves.

Qatar Airways’ passengers will also benefit from greater access to Malta and to Air Malta’s extensive Mediterranean network. Codeshare destinations include Cagliari, Palermo and Catania. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, said: “When we launched services to Malta in June 2019, I started this was just the beginning of our long-term commitment to boosting trade and tourism between our two countries. This agreement with Air Malta will provide significant benefits to both airlines and thousands of passengers, expanding both of our networks and setting the foundation to further enhance cooperation in other fields in the future.”

Air Malta Chief Executive, Captain Cliff Chetcuti, said: “This agreement is yet another milestone for Air Malta in its growth strategy and widening of its codesharing network. It was a natural step for us after Qatar Airways launched direct scheduled services to our Islands and the successful cooperation on pilot training. Both Air Malta and Qatar Airways share the same quality service commitment towards their customers and through this codeshare agreement we are enhancing our cooperation to the benefit of our mutual customers.”

Economy Minister Silvio Schembri welcomed the code-sharing agreement between Air Malta and Qatar Airways.

“This agreement pushes forward Air Malta to set presence in the eastern market. This is an important step in Air Malta’s stance to continue enhancing its connectivity both on an international level. In fact, through this agreement, Air Malta will be able to offer flights to Australia through just one stop in Doha. I look forward to seeing this partnership grow in the benefit of both airlines involved as well as means to better the customer's experience when using our national airline. This is yet another initiative complimenting Air Malta’s strategy to generate new streams of revenue,” Schembri said.

Qatar Airways began flying to Malta on 4 June 2019 with daily flights in the summer and a four-times-weekly service during winter.