Air Malta will start flying to the northern Italian city of Parma from June 2nd. This is the first time the Maltese airline will be operating scheduled service to the city.

This was announced today during a press conference held in Parma addressed by Edwin Caruana, Air Malta’s Country Manager for Italy and Simon Kamsky, Director Marketing and Promotion Southern Europe from Malta Tourism Authority.

Air Malta will be flying to Giuseppe Verdi Airport (PMF) twice weekly, every Monday and Thursday. Guiseppe Verdi is one of the four Milan-area airports alongside Linate, Malpensa and Bergamo.

Speaking at the conference Mr Caruana said, “This is the first time Air Malta is flying scheduled services to Parma. We are planning to carry 11,000 passengers with a seat factor of 70-75%. This route offers new opportunities for us and our clients and will contribute to increased tourism trade between the two countries.”

Mr Kamsky added, “Air Malta’s new route to Parma is welcome news. We expect that the two weekly flights between June and October will generate new traffic from the region of Emilia Romagna. Together with Air Malta we will have the opportunity to attract groups of tourists, both from the incentive and leisure business, as well as weekend break travellers, diving enthusiasts, English language students and those interested in our diverse cultural history.”

He added, that “his route will support the growth of tourism to Malta from Italy, which since 2009 is the second most important tourist market with over 235,000 Italians visiting Malta in 2013. Parma has a lot to offer and represents a new destination that the Maltese can discover.”

These summer flights will compliment the recently announced three-times weekly service to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport as from June 2. Prices range from €110 for an Economy return ticket and €424 for a Club Class return ticket.

Parma forms part of the of the Emilia-Romagna region famous for its contributions to world gastronomy that include ham, cheese, architecture and its beautiful surrounding countryside. Parma has also been revered by opera lovers (who flock to its Teatro Regio) since the days of Verdi, who was born in nearby Roncole.

Parma’s many historic monuments include the 11th-century cathedral and its baptistery which is considered one of medieval Europe’s most important buildings. Other famous attractions in Parma include the Teatro Farnese, Camera di San Paolo and Parco Ducale.

More information on the destination can be found on http://turismo.parma.it.

The flight schedule will operate as follows:Flights can be booked on www.airmalta.com.

Photograph: Duomo of Parma with its bell tower (Wikipedia).

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