The Czech airlines has operated its flights to Malta with its flight OK 0434 debuting at the Malta International Airport (MIA) from Prague's Vaclav Havel Airport on Saturday afternoon.

Welcomed by the traditional water salute, the Czech airlines is MIA's third new airline in 2016 following Barcelona-based Volotea airline and Spanish low-cost airline Iberia Express.

The SkyTeam member airline will be connecting the Maltese islands with the Czech capital on Tuesdays and Saturdays this summer.

In welcoming Czech Airlines, MIA CEO Alan Borg said: "It is always a privilege to welcome new carriers to our Islands, and the start of Czech Airlines' operations to and from Malta encourages us to persist in our efforts to strengthen the link between Malta and the Eastern European market."

Czech Airlines' Director for Commerce and Marketing, Jan Toth, said the regular connection between Malta and Prague was officially announced last December and materialized today.

"As from today, passengers from both countries can enjoy to the full the benefits of a direct, scheduled connection with Czech Airlines between one of the world's most beautiful cities, Prague, and the great holiday destination, Malta," he said.

Maltese Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis also reaffirmed that air connectivity is a crucial point of the Government's strategy for the tourism sector.

Founded in 1923, Czech Airlines is the Czech Republic's flag carrier and also one of the five oldest airlines in the world. It joined the SkyTeam alliance on March 25, 2001.

source : xinhua