Air Malta and bmi have today signed an agreement by which bmi will codeshare on Air Malta’s flights between Malta and the United Kingdom.

Starting this week, the codeshare agreement is expected to significantly increase connectivity between Malta and regional airports all over the UK through bmi’s extensive flight network in the country as well as its medium haul destinations primarily in the CIS countries and the Middle East.

The agreement allows bmi to use its own code and flight numbers on all flights operated by Air Malta to and from the UK. Air Malta‘s flights to and from Brussels and Amsterdam will also be codeshared with bmi. In turn, Air Malta will place its code and flight numbers on bmi flights to/from destinations in the UK that connect via Heathrow, Manchester, Brussels and Amsterdam. Specifically this agreement will offer new flight connections between the Maltese islands and the airports of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Leeds Bradford, Belfast, East Midlands and Durham Tees Valley. These connections will now be available through Air Malta’s operated flights to/from London Heathrow, Manchester, Amsterdam and Brussels. The cooperation is expected to further enhance the islands’ connectivity through these major European hubs.

The agreement will also see the codesharing with bmi of the London Gatwick – Catania route operated by Air Malta.

The first codeshared flight between Air Malta and bmi will depart on Thursday 22nd January.

Speaking about this cooperation, Dr Brock Friesen, Air Malta’s Chief Officer Commercial said, “Today we are continuing to enhance the network of destinations offered to and from Malta. We are expecting this agreement to lead to more tourist arrivals from the UK as together with our codeshare partner, bmi, we are offering easier flight connections to Malta. Through this agreement we are also increasing accessibility to the UK to our Maltese customers. This agreement will give both airlines’ passengers a wide choice of flight times and an array of daily services with seamless travel connections.”

“Codeshare agreements are proving to be essential to increase flight connections and accessibility to Malta even from markets that are not served with direct flights. Other codeshare agreements should be announced soon.

“bmi has established itself as the second largest airline at London’s Heathrow Airport. The bmi codeshare follows the positive experience gained from the performance of similar codeshare with leading airlines and fits well with our highly successful codeshares with Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. This codeshare will further assist the development of the already excellent business links between Malta and UK,” added Dr Friesen.

Martyn Bridger, Commercial Director of bmi, added, “We are pleased to enter this codeshare partnership with Air Malta, providing both leisure and business customers alike with access to our strong domestic route network and growing range of mid haul destinations.”

Air Malta is continuing to enhance its codeshare list of partners on specific routes signing agreements with other quality airlines to increase and improve its destination network. Both Air Malta and bmi share the same reputation and commitment towards their customers such as superior service and enhanced levels of customer satisfaction. These attributes makes them ideal partners.

Both Air Malta and bmi are members of IATA - the International Air Transport Association and AEA - the Association of European Airlines.