Malta Air

Malta Air is a low-cost carrier and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ryanair Holdings, operating as a key part of the Ryanair Group's European network. The airline was established in June 2019 as a joint venture between Ryanair and the Government of Malta, with Ryanair taking full ownership in 2025. Its primary purpose was to secure a European Union Air Operator Certificate (AOC) after Brexit, allowing Ryanair to continue unrestricted intra-EU flights. Malta Air's fleet of 179 Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX aircraft wears Ryanair's livery but carries Maltese registrations. The airline serves over 100 destinations from bases in Malta, Italy, Poland, and other European countries, mirroring Ryanair's low-fare, high-efficiency model.

Passengers booking on Ryanair's website may unknowingly fly on a Malta Air aircraft, as the subsidiary is fully integrated into Ryanair's marketing and scheduling. The airline maintains its own safety oversight and AOC (number MT-57), but the customer experience is identical to Ryanair's: low base fares, strict baggage policies, and ancillary fees. Critics often point to the no-frills approach and consumer complaints typical of the Ryanair group.

Malta Air's rapid growth has made it a major operator at Malta International Airport and a key player in the island's aviation sector. Its creation also coincided with the closure of the former flag carrier, Air Malta, in March 2024, which was replaced by the new KM Malta Airlines. Unlike the state-backed flag carrier, Malta Air operates purely as a commercial low-cost entity. [edit]

Malta Air's mission is to provide low-cost air travel across Europe, operating under the Ryanair brand with a focus on efficiency, affordability, and extensive route connectivity. As a subsidiary, it supports the parent company's goal of offering the lowest fares while maintaining high aircraft utilization and ancillary revenue streams. [edit]

On June 9, 2019, Ryanair and the Government of Malta announced the creation of Malta Air, a new Maltese-registered airline. The initial fleet consisted of six Boeing 737-800 aircraft, taking over the 61 routes Ryanair already operated from Malta. The plan included expanding to ten aircraft by mid-2020 and building a maintenance hangar at Malta International Airport. The move was a direct response to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, ensuring Ryanair retained an EU AOC for intra-European flights.

Ryanair quickly transferred dozens of aircraft and several continental European bases to Malta Air's certificate, including bases in Italy, Poland, and elsewhere. By 2025, the fleet had grown to 179 aircraft, making Malta Air one of the largest operators at Malta International Airport. In 2025, Ryanair acquired full ownership by purchasing the Maltese government's remaining share, consolidating its control over the subsidiary.

Malta Air's establishment coincided with the end of Air Malta, the island's flag carrier for 50 years, which ceased operations on March 30, 2024, after accumulating financial losses and facing EU state aid restrictions. Air Malta was replaced the next day by KM Malta Airlines, a smaller carrier. The closure cost Maltese taxpayers over €400 million. [edit]