17 - 23 February 2000

UK authorities processing Sabre Airways application to operate to Malta

by David Kelleher

The UK Civil Aviation Authority is currently processing an application from the British airline Sabre Airways to operate scheduled flights to Malta.

Up till last week, the airline's plans were in a deadlock after another British airline, GB Airways, which also operates to Malta, objected to the airline's application to operate to Malta as well.

GB Airways, however, lifted its objection on Friday after Sabre Airways and their representatives in Malta accepted to stop advertising and to wait until the CAA decided on the case.

No one was available for comment yesterday, however sources told The Malta Business Weekly that the CAA decision will force the other players in the field to take a stance. The sources added that if granted a licence, Air Malta will be forced to adapt to the new entry, possibly with a beneficial effect on its clients.

The news that another airline was planning to operate to Malta on a scheduled service was good news for hundreds of Maltese travellers to the UK who wanted to benefit from prices available in the UK.

A letter in The Malta Independent earlier this month highlight the need for extra flights to the UK. The author complained that a lack of flights had made it impossible to get a flight to Malta, even when booked six months in advance.

"If the CAA gives a licence to Sabre, then Maltese travellers to the UK can look forward to excellent airfares starting from April," the sources said.

Sabre Airways have applied to operate four scheduled flights a week at prices that are not only attractive but also highly competitive compared to what Maltese travellers are used to paying.

Sabre Airways are not required to apply for a licence through the Department of Civil Aviation or Transport Ministry. If the airline is given permission by the British Authorities, the latter will only have to inform the Maltese authorities.