Cork connection

Well done to Air Malta, which concluded a multi-million dollar agreement, involving International Lease Finance Corporation, Airbus Industries and CFM International, for the renewal of its fleet over a four-and-a-half year period.

It is good to listen to members of the aircraft leasing community saying what a good deal Air Malta made in disposing of its current fleet and secure a new fleet, leased, as if it were purchased.

One of my friends, who is in the aircraft leasing business, also told me that the next best thing for our national airline is to have a weekly flight in and out of Cork. Good weather seekers tend to find it more convenient flying direct from Cork than having to get a connection via Dublin or London.

A few years back, this same friend asked Air Lingus if they could have a weekly flight from Cork to a resort in Spain. This once weekly flight has now developed into a daily service to this resort. I strongly think the same could happen if Air Malta started direct flights from Cork to Malta. Even the summer flights are always heavily booked but, unfortunately, there is a once-weekly flight from Cork.

Again well done to Louis Grech and "Air Malta's dedicated professionals", on this major deal.