Air Malta has said that it would like to “provide clarity” on the transition process for bookings on or after the 31st of March 2024., following the recent announcement about the inception of a new airline for the Maltese Islands.

In a statement on Tuesday, the airline stressed that a “paramount aspect of this transition is the handling and management of forward bookings, given the significant implications for customers and the broader Maltese tourism and hospitality sectors.”

It added that “this transition, while crucial, is complex and influenced by numerous external stakeholders.”

Initially, Air Malta said it “faced challenges in promptly updating the availability of its flights scheduled on or after the 31st of March 2024 across its primary booking platform and third-party online reservation systems.”

This arose, it said, “as travel partners required an extended period to manage the partial discontinuation of the global selling systems calendar as it integrates within Air Malta’s infrastructure.”

The airline said that “consequently, a partial closure proved unfeasible, compelling the airline to retain the entirety of its active calendar, inclusive of flights scheduled on or after the 31st of March.”

According to Air Malta, “the only alternative was full closure, which would have resulted in a significant impact, not just for the airline, but for the Maltese economy.”

The airline said that it “regrets any transient inconvenience this might have caused to its customers.”

“All reservations for flights on Air Malta for travel on or after the 31st of March 2024, will be annulled and fully refunded, and this has been communicated clearly to customers and third parties,” the airline said.

It went on to say that “starting the 1st of November, customers holding tickets for travel on or after the 31st of March 2024 can initiate their refund process.”

Moving forward, Air Malta has announced that it has now closed its reservation systems for bookings intended for travel on or after the 31st of March 2024.

Air Malta offered its assurance to customers that it “will operate all scheduled flights until the 30th of March, and all existing tickets, along with those acquired for travel up to the 30th of March, will retain their validity. Flights will continue to operate as scheduled until that date.”

Starting the 1st of December 2023, customers can book their travels with the new airline, with services commencing on the 31st of March 2024, the airline said.

Air Malta thanked its customers f”or their continued trust and support.”

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