Air Malta vs. Malta Air: What’s the Difference?

Have you ever been confused between the ownership and operation of Air Malta and Malta Air? Perhaps you’ve boarded a Ryanair flight to your holiday destination, only to realise the service is advertised as being a Malta Air flight? If so, you’re not alone. Let’s clarify the main differences between Malta Air (FR) and Air Malta (KM), two separate airlines serving the Mediterranean islands of Malta. While it may seem like the two airlines can be referred to interchangeably, they actually differ significantly in their ownership, operation, fleets and business model. So, what exactly are the key differences between  Malta Air and Air Malta?

Malta Air (FR)

Functioning as a joint venture between Ryanair and the Maltese government, Malta Air was launched in 2019. As a subsidiary of the low-cost giant, Malta Air has become a key contributor to Malta’s aviation landscape, travel infrastructure and overall economy. Since its inauguration, the low-budget airline has enhanced the island’s connectivity with European destinations and beyond, creating a growth in tourism and employment. However, this hasn’t been without its difficulties. Internal challenges concerning Ryanair’s labour policies have seen the subsidiary airline’s pressure to maintain profitability cause a strain on employee relations.

KM Malta (KM)

Air Malta is Malta’s flag carrier. However, 50 years after its first commercial flight in 1974, the airline closed. In 2024, following years of financial instability and operational challenges, Air Malta ceased operations and was replaced by KM Malta Airlines. While Air Malta remains under state-ownership, plans for a partial privatisation, may see a further restructuring of the state-owned carrier. In response to increasing competition from budget carriers, especially those operating in the Mediterranean region, KM Malta Airlines aims to modernise its operations and strategy. Since its inception, the state-owned airline has adopted a hybrid business model. The model integrates elements of traditional full-service carriers with the efficiency of low-cost operations.

Key Differences in Fleet and Service

While sharing an operational base in the small country of Malta, Malta Air (FR) and Air Malta (KM) differ in their fleet and service offerings. As a subsidiary of the Ryanair Holdings Group, Malta Air also uses the same fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. As of 2024, Malta air is operating a fleet of 174 aircraft, some of which are still branded with a Maltese cross livery. The country’s flag-carrier, on the other hand, is operating with a smaller fleet. Their aircraft fleet consists of 8 Airbus 320NEOs. The aircraft also differ in design. Malta Air’s fleet is geared toward high-density, short haul operations. Air Malta’s seating arrangement is less cramped and maximises on passenger comfort. Unlike the low-cost carrier, Air Malta also provides complimentary refreshments and a business class service.

In essence, Air Malta focuses on providing a more traditional full-service travel experience. It emphasises comfort, tourism for Malta and business connectivity. The operation of Malta Air, on the other hand, mirrors that of Ryanair. The subsidiary airline targets more budget-conscious travellers. It has a dense seating configuration and additional charges for services. In this sense, Malta air’s service is solely concerned with getting passengers from A to B.

Did you know Malta Air and Air Malta are two different airlines? Let us know in the comments