Air Malta launches Catania-London link

Air Malta has launched its direct scheduled flight service between Catania and London Gatwick.

The launch ceremony, held in Sicily, was covered by eight TV channels and all the daily Sicilian newspapers. The service, with three weekly flights, starts on May 2.

Air Malta flight services between Malta and Sicily started in 1981 and there are now 18 weekly flights in summer.

Sicily and, especially, Catania are one of the most important destinations for Air Malta. Some 30,000 Maltese visit Sicily every year and many Sicilians travel to Malta and connect with Air Malta's network of around 45 destinations in Europe and North Africa.

Although the flights will depart from Malta every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday and will stop in Catania on their way to London, Sicilian and British passengers will still have the opportunity of flying direct between Catania and London.

Air Malta is actively promoting two-centre holidays in the UK for passengers wishing to spend their holidays in Sicily and Malta.

Air Malta said these flights are possible as a direct result of Malta's EU membership through which the airline will be allowed to carry revenue-generating passengers between European Union countries - without the passengers having to start or end their journey in Malta.