Qatar Airways to operate four weekly flights to Malta starting July

On Thursday (today), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg, during a visit to Doha on Thursday announced that Qatar Airways will be operating four weekly flights between Malta and Qatar, starting July.

Hamad International Airport, the international hub of Qatar Airways, hosts flights to 197 destinations across five continents.

Deputy Prime Minister Borg gave details of these flights soon after a high-level meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulraham Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, as well as talks with Badr Mohammed Al Meer, the CEO of Qatar Airways Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, the Chairman of Qatar Tourism.

“Air connectivity is a cornerstone for advancing trade and tourism, as well as fostering educational exchange and innovation,” Minister Borg affirmed.

“These flights will contribute to our economies and strengthen the cultural and social bridges between our peoples. These new direct connections to Hamad International Airport in Doha will also boost Malta’s connectivity with many other regions, including Australia, home to Malta’s largest diaspora, as well many other emerging tourism markets,” he added.

Discussions with Prime Minister Al-Thani built on earlier exchanges, including Minister Borg’s visit to Qatar in December 2022, to explore avenues for strategic investments and new collaborations, particularly in financial services, tourism, and renewable energy.

The meeting also underscored the robust relationship between both countries, ahead of the 50th anniversary years since Malta and Qatar established bilateral relations on 18th June 1975. The Deputy Prime Minister extended Malta’s invitation to Qatari investors to consider the island nation as a gateway to European markets and a hub for sustainable innovation.

During his visit to Doha, Deputy Prime Minister Borg was also welcomed at the Embassy of Malta in Qatar. He met with Ambassador Simon Pullicino and other embassy officials, as they near the completion of an extensive project to better equip its building and improve its comprehensive consular services to the growing Maltese community in this region.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s delegation in Qatar also included Carlo Micallef, Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Tourism Authority and Alan Borg, Chief Executive Officer of the Malta International Airport.

MHRA welcomes Qatar direct flights

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has welcomed the announcement that Qatar Airways will resume flights to Malta, “enhancing the country’s global connectivity and supporting its strategic vision to attract high-value visitors.”

It noted that this development strengthens Malta’s ties with key global markets, including the Far East and Australia, “which is home to the country’s largest diaspora.”

Commenting on the announcement, MHRA President Tony Zahra stated that the new flights highlight the growing importance of the Far East and Australia as emerging source markets and reflect broader trends in quality tourism.

“Enhanced air connectivity is critical to advancing Malta’s tourism strategy, driving sustainability, cultural exchange, and economic growth,” he continued.

Furthermore, MHRA concluded that it will remain dedicated to initiatives that enhance Malta’s tourism prospects, ensuring the islands remain competitive and aligned with global trends.