Air Malta had bid farewell to the last of its Boeing 737 aircraft and has now become an all Airbus airline.
Its last Boeing, a 737-300, took off for Frankfurt on Sunday after what, for many employees, was an emotional farewell. Two vehicles of MIA's Firefighting Section formed a water arch for the aircraft as it taxied past.
The aircraft's departure was also witnessed by a sizable crowd of aircraft enthusiasts who gathered along the airport perimeter.
Air Malta has been operating Boeing aircraft since it was set up 34 years ago. Its first aircraft were B720-040Bs leased from Pakistan International Airlines. The airline bought its first (three) Boeing 737-200 on its 10th anniversary on 30th March 1983.
Since then the Maltese airline operated over 60 Boeing aircraft of various types including the 707, 727-100/200 and the Boeing 737 series. They safely carried over 15 million passengers including Pope John Paul II.
Air Malta in 1983 achieved the world record of the highest utilisation of Boeing 737s at 14.9hours per day.
Air Malta now operates Airbus A320s and A319s.