Air Malta has abandoned the hub strategy pursued by its previous chairman, and is undertaking a fleet shake-up which will see its Aero International (Regional) Avro RJ70s transferred to Italian subsidiary AZZURRAair, replacing RJ85s.
In 1994, under the leadership of the then chief executive Joe Tabone, Air Malta ordered four RJ70s as part of a new strategy to set up a regional hub at Malta's Luqa Airport. The RJs were also intended to replace some of Air Malta's Boeing 737-200s, and were delivered with auxiliary fuel tanks to provide increased range. The current fleet includes three 737-200s, four -300s, two Airbus A320s, and the four RJ70s.
In 1996, this regional strategy saw Air Malta set up Bergamo, Italy-based AZZURRA, in which it holds a 49% shareholding, and for which Air Malta bought three new Avro RJ85s. The Italian airline launched operations in December 1996.
A change of government in Malta during 1996 saw Tabone replaced by Louis Grech, who undertook a complete re-evaluation of Air Malta's strategy. The hub plans have been dropped, and AZZURRA's RJ85s, along with one of the RJ70s, have been put up for sale, with Fortis Aviation being retained to remarket the aircraft.
When the three RJ85s are sold, Air Malta is expected to transfer the remaining RJ70s to AZZURRA. Meanwhile, Air Malta is actively seeking additional 737-300s for its own fleet.
Source: Flight International
