BritishJet

Malta’s own low-cost airline, British Jet, is two years old, writes Noel Grima in TMIS:

BritishJet is now in its third year of operations although, according to its competitors, it was not supposed to have survived beyond the first six months. More than any other airline, it was BritishJet that introduced the low cost concept to Malta: in 2000 it started offering fares to London at Lm49 when its competitors were selling theirs for Lm200. It pioneered e-ticketing in Malta in 2003 and now all its competitors have followed its initiative. It was also the first airline in the world to offer half-price discount for pre-booked extra luggage.

Robbie Borg, managing director of BritishJet, announced during a media conference that his airline’s 2007 Winter Schedule will include a low cost double destination package, namely London-Malta-Egypt (Sharm-el-Sheik), hopefully this November with other North African destinations to follow. This is aimed at increasing tourist inflow to Malta during the winter months, but is subject to approval by the Maltese and Egyptian authorities..

Speaking to the media, Mr Borg hinted the airline is considering flights to Libya, possibly from the UK. The airline is also trying to persuade MIA to reduce the high rates it charges. BritishJet pays one third of the Malta rates in the UK airports it uses. It has recently come to an agreement with Air Malta to use the national airline for its ground handling...