Airlines Ryanair expands with new subsidiary airline Malta Air

Malta Air will become a new subsidiary airline of Ryanair Holdings. Europe´s largest airline group announced that the start-up carrier will be purchased entirely. Ryanair will grow a Malta based fleet of six Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

These six aircraft have previously been flying with the mainline carrier and will now switch onto the Maltese register. The aircraft are worth over US$ 600 million. Next to the aircraft, Ryanair is set to base 200 crew members at the island. Over the next years, Ryanair will register 50 of its current aircraft in Malta, most likely for cost reasons.

Until now, the aircraft will wear the common Ryanair livery. Until Summer 2020 however, the aircraft will receive Malta Air colours. In total, Ryanair said that it will create over 350 jobs within three years. Moreover, 10 aircraft are planned fly for the subsidiary until 2022.

Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary said: “Malta Air will proudly fly the Maltese name and flag to over 60 destinations across Europe and North Africa as we look to grow our Maltese based fleet, routes, traffic and jobs over the next three years.

Ryanair’s continued partnership with the Malta Tourism Authority will help drive forward the vision of Prime Minister Muscat and Minister Mizzi to grow year-round connections to all corners of Europe which will support increased tourism, business and jobs in Malta.

Ryanair appreciates the expertise of the Maltese Civil Aviation Directorate (CAD) in licencing Malta Air to operate the B737 aircraft and we look forward to working closely with the Maltese authorities over the coming years as we hope to add over 50 more aircraft to the Maltese register.”

Malta Minister for Tourism, Konrad Mizzi, added: “The relationship between Ryanair and Malta has evolved into a successful collaboration. We welcome Ryanair’s commitment to operate and grow a fully-fledged Malta-based airline which will contribute in a large way to the country’s development.”

This year, Ryanair announced that the carrier will rebrand its “Ryanair Sun” brand into “Buzz”. The fleet of the polish subsidiary is set to receive a special aircraft livery.

Ryanair is one of the largest European low-cost carriers. Ryanair Holdings includes the airlines Ryanair, Ryanair Sun (Buzz), Lauda, Malta Air and Ryanair UK. The mainline airline operates with over 430 Boeing 737-800s. Ryanair Sun flies with 24 and Ryanair UK only with one 737-800.