KM Malta Airlines to retire A320ceo in 3Q24

Air aviation news – Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) is close to finalising a deal with Boeing to buy up to 100 aircraft in a mixture of firm orders, options, and purchase rights, according to Reuters. Talks concerning the multi-billion dollar acquisition are reportedly in the advanced stage, with Airbus out of the race because of disputes with its engine supplier.

The airline is negotiating for around eight B787 types and 15 narrowbodies. Airbus had offered Thai their A350 model as an alternative to the Boeing widebody. Thai Airways is keen to modernise and grow its fleet to exploit strong passenger demand for travel to and from Thailand and capitalise on Bangkok’s role as a transit hub.

Since downsizing its fleet while working its way through a court-supervising restructuring and rehabilitation process, the airline is now adding capacity by leasing aircraft, but ahead of this impending order, currently does not have any commitments placed with either OEM.

Airbus reportedly fell out of favour because Rolls-Royce is the sole engine manufacturer for the A350…

KM Malta Airlines gets licensed, details launch network

04.12.2023 – 11:17 UTCKM Malta Airlines (Malta International) has been granted both its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Operator’s Licence (OL) by Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate. The start-up carrier announced in a press release that it will start selling tickets for its launch network on December 4, and, as previously reported by ch-aviation, the new company will start flight operations on March 31, 2024.

It expects to serve 17 destinations with a fleet of eight A320-200neo, unlike its predecessor Air Malta (KM, Malta International), which, based on ch-aviation fleets advanced data, currently operates a mix of six A320neo and A320-200s.

According to a presentation made by Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and Finance Minister Clyde Caruana in October and published by the Times of Malta, the new airline will fly to Amsterdam Schiphol, Berlin Brandenburg International, Brussels National, Catania, Düsseldorf, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Lyon St. Exupéry, Madrid Barajas, Milan Linate, Munich, Paris CDG, Paris Orly, Prague Václav…

Malta hires Knighthood Global to help launch new carrier

16.10.2023 – 10:34 UTCThe Maltese government has hired international aviation consultancy firm Knighthood Global – led by former Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International) executives James Hogan and James Rigney – to assist in closing down Air Malta (KM, Malta International) and launching a new national airline, KM Malta Airlines (Malta International).

This was revealed by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana when he tabled the contract in Parliament on October 11, reports Malta Independent. Responding to a parliamentary question, Caruana said Knighthood Global was engaged temporarily to provide financial and strategic advice, help implement the new airline’s business plan, and second an experienced aviation consultant on a temporary basis. The EUR200,000 euros (USD210,000) per month contract was signed in June 2022, extended in January and expires at the end of 2023.

The Maltese government on October 3 announced the establishment of KM Malta Airlines, which will commence operations on March 31, 2024, when Air Malta closes down after 50 years of operation. This follows the Maltese parliament’s ratification of a five-year business plan…

Malta to debut new national carrier in late 1Q24

02.10.2023 – 21:07 UTCMalta will get a new national carrier – KM Malta Airlines (Malta International) – by March 31, 2024, replacing loss-making Air Malta (KM, Malta International), according to an announcement by Prime Minister Robert Abela and Minister for Finance and Employment Clyde Caruana.

Initially, the government of Malta will be the sole shareholder of the new entity, which is pending regulatory approval from the Maltese Civil Aviation Directorate. In all, EUR350 million euros (USD370 million) will be injected into it of which EUR50 million (USD53 million) will be working capital and EUR300 million (USD317 million) will be in the form of assets, the Malta Independent newspaper reported. After three years, as agreed with Brussels, the government will start to seek a strategic partner but retain majority shareholding.

Speaking at a news conference on October 2, Abela told reporters that the transition will be “largely seamless”. The new flag carrier will implement a five-year business plan focused on profitable routes and a well-planned fleet for long-term financial sustainability. Air Malta’s workforce and fleet size will.

source: https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/134980-km-malta-airlines-to-retire-a320ceo-in-3q24