Ian Borg pushes for American airline deal to boost Malta – US ties
**Ian Borg Pushes for American Airline Deal to Boost Malta-US Ties**
Foreign Minister Ian Borg has embarked on a diplomatic offensive to secure direct flights between Malta and the United States, a move that could reshape the islands’ transatlantic connections and open new doors for Maltese businesses, students, and families divided by oceans.
Borg’s recent Washington meetings with senior Biden administration officials and major US carriers mark the most serious push in decades to establish regular air links between Malta and America. The initiative comes as Malta seeks to diversify its tourism markets and strengthen economic ties beyond traditional European partnerships.
“This isn’t just about tourism numbers,” Borg told Hot Malta during a phone interview from Washington. “Direct US flights would transform how Maltese businesses operate globally, how our students access American universities, and how our diaspora maintains connections with home.”
The absence of direct flights has long frustrated Maltese-Americans, who currently endure lengthy layovers through Frankfurt, Rome, or London when visiting relatives. The Maltese-American community, estimated at over 70,000 strong, represents a significant untapped market for airlines willing to take the plunge.
Local travel agents report growing American interest in Malta, particularly among cultural tourists drawn by the islands’ UNESCO World Heritage sites and Game of Thrones filming locations. “We’re seeing 40% year-on-year growth in US bookings,” reveals Maria Camilleri, owner of Valletta-based Heritage Travel. “But the journey complexity deters many potential visitors.”
The timing appears fortuitous. American airlines are aggressively expanding European networks post-pandemic, seeking new destinations beyond saturated markets like Paris and Rome. Malta’s strategic Mediterranean position and year-round appeal could prove attractive, particularly for carriers eyeing winter sun destinations.
However, significant hurdles remain. Malta International Airport’s current infrastructure limits long-haul operations, though planned runway extensions could accommodate transatlantic aircraft by 2026. More challenging is demonstrating sufficient premium demand to justify daily service – business class seats generate disproportionate airline revenue on long routes.
Borg’s delegation presented compelling data to American executives: Malta’s GDP growth consistently outpaces EU averages, American tourist spending averages €2,300 per visit (double typical European visitors), and the islands host increasing numbers of US financial services and gaming companies seeking EU market access.
The cultural implications extend beyond tourism. Direct connectivity would facilitate academic exchanges with American universities, potentially reversing Malta’s brain drain. The University of Malta already maintains partnerships with several US institutions, but travel complications limit student mobility programs.
“Imagine Maltese students pursuing summer internships in Silicon Valley, or American archaeology students excavating our prehistoric temples,” enthuses Professor Mark Anthony Falzon, who teaches anthropology at the University of Malta. “Physical proximity breeds understanding – something we’ve lacked with America.”
Local businesses are already strategizing potential opportunities. Gozo-based pharmaceutical manufacturer Actavis sees US flights accelerating FDA approval processes through easier site inspections. Meanwhile, Malta’s burgeoning gaming industry anticipates attracting American tech talent currently deterred by complex travel arrangements.
Yet not everyone welcomes the prospect. Environmental groups warn that long-haul flights generate substantial carbon emissions, potentially undermining Malta’s climate commitments. “We need sustainable aviation solutions, not just more routes,” argues Sandra Agius Darmanin from Friends of the Earth Malta.
The government counters that newer aircraft models offer significantly improved fuel efficiency, suggesting any future service would utilize modern planes like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Borg remains optimistic, targeting 2027 for inaugural flights if negotiations progress smoothly. “Malta has always punched above its weight diplomatically and economically,” he insists. “Direct US flights would simply reflect the reality of our global connections.”
As Mediterranean geopolitics shift and Malta positions itself as a bridge between Europe and North Africa, establishing American air links could prove transformational – not just for tourism, but for how Maltese see their place in the world.
