Malta welcomes new access from UK airports

The Malta Tourist Board has welcomed the new access from UK airports that it is set to benefit from this year.

British Airways, Air Malta and easyJet have all recently announced service changes that will lead to increased visits to the Mediterranean island in 2008.

BA recently confirmed that it will operate a daily service between Gatwick Airport and Malta, which will replace a flight currently offered by the airline's former franchise partner GB Airways.

This connection will open on March 30th and will use a Boeing 737 aircraft.

Air Malta's summer schedule for 2008 will include increased frequency from Manchester Airport, with the route now consisting of eight weekly flights.

In addition, the Malta Tourism Authority has reached an agreement with easyJet for new services on its routes to the island from both Gatwick and Manchester airports.

These developments will add to the growth that Malta experienced in 2007. A total of 487,000 people visited the Mediterranean island from the UK last year, the highest number since 1994.