Airlines
Ryanair To Establish New Airline in Malta
Plans calls for Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair to register up to 60 aircraft on its Maltese subsidiary’s AOC.
(l to r, foreground) Maltese minister for tourism Konrad Mizzi, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, and Malta Air Travel CEO Paul Bugeja sign contract papers marking a preliminary agreement to establish Malta Air as a Ryanair subsidiary. (Photo: Ryanair)
(l to r, foreground) Maltese minister for tourism Konrad Mizzi, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, and Malta Air Travel CEO Paul Bugeja sign contract papers marking a preliminary agreement to establish Malta Air as a Ryanair subsidiary. (Photo: Ryanair)

Ryanair on Tuesday confirmed plans to establish a new Malta-based airline, a move that marks a further step in the development of its recently announced strategy to evolve toward a group structure with multiple brands resting under one holding company such as International Airlines Group (IAG) and Lufthansa Group. The Irish company will acquire start-up Malta Air—not to be confused with Air Malta, the country’s national airline—for an undisclosed amount.