Ryanair to establish new airline in Malta: 'Malta Air'

[Kerosene]

https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20190609/local/ryanair-to-set-up-a-new-airline-based-in-malta.712313

Interesting news, in particular, the involvement of the Maltese government. The government is the majority owner of ailing Air Malta which is not allowed further state subsidies under EU regulations. Slots have been outsourced to a newly established government-owned company and leased back to Air Malta a while ago.

Any more news articles on this new Ryanair company 'Malta Air'? What aircraft are they going to operate? What is Ryanair's strategy in buying or establishing a series of differently branded wholly-owned subsidiaries (Lauda, Buzz, Malta Air...)? What will this new company mean for Air Malta's future?

[Jonnyknoxville]

Its merely a way for them to offer local contracts to their pilots without having to pay Irish Income tax (income tax will be paid in the homebase of the pilot concerned )

[Kerosene]

Its merely a way for them to offer local contracts to their pilots without having to pay Irish Income tax (income tax will be paid in the homebase of the pilot concerned )

If that would be all why the need for a complete re–branding exercise? They surely could just start a ‘Ryanair Malta‘ Ltd with a Maltese AOC and Malta registered airplanes but keep the identical branding, and have things mostly run as before (except for the required postholder nominations for the AOC and accounting structures) to achieve that goal much easier? Also, what’s the need to have the Maltese government on board for that purpose? Not saying you’re wrong, but wondering if there’s not more to it, especially from an Air Malta perspective.

[Jonnyknoxville]

The main priority is to get the aircraft off the Irish AOC , as many of the euro based pilots are being double taxed , don't think the branding will change , it'll be like ryanair Sun in poland

[BA318]

The main priority is to get the aircraft off the Irish AOC , as many of the euro based pilots are being double taxed , don't think the branding will change , it'll be like ryanair Sun in poland

But Ryanair Sun is being rebranded. It'll become Buzz with a separate livery.

[Kerosene]

On Reuters: https://apple.news/A4zVGxOU3TXeuarvBBB0ltQ

[Kerosene]

But Ryanair Sun is being rebranded. It'll become Buzz with a separate livery.

Indeed, and it’s interesting to understand the motivation behind these diversifications. Too soon to say if Malta Air will be in that same category but I wouldn’t be surprised since it seems to fall within their strategy: https://www.aviationcv.com/aviation-blog/2019/ryanair-launches-buzz

[SealinkBF]

O'Leary has stated that he wants Ryanair to be more like IAG...

[BA318]

It's official: https://corporate.ryanair.com/news/ryanair-to-invest-in-a-malta-aoc-through-purchase-of-malta-air/

The (https://corporate.ryanair.com/news/ryanair-to-invest-in-a-malta-aoc-through-purchase-of-malta-air/The) planes will be in a new livery.

[BA318]

The new livery:

https://twitter.com/Ryanair/status/1138442187384008711

[flyingmed]

Only 6 planes will have new livery whilst 50 aircraft will be registered in Malta. I suspect the other 44 aircraft will be based in countries that are fed up with the greed of the Irish tax authorities (Italy, France etc).
The tax authority in Ireland have been demanding tax be paid in Ireland (due to EI registration) regardless of the circumstances of crew, some of the Ryanair crew have only been to Ireland for a few days in their lives. It would appear this move will eventually work out well for the crews around Europe with local contracts as Ireland has one of the highest rates of tax in Europe with little or no return in services on that tax paid.

[160to4DME]

Damn. I was so hoping he'd call it Maltesair :E

[danielson81]

The Cynical side of me just thinks Konrad Mizzi (The Maltese Minister of Tourism) is doing this to quietly "offload" Air Malta so it's no longer a government concern. No doubt he will also make a tidy sum in his alledged Panama bank account :rolleyes:

[Kerosene]

Another article in the Times of Malta today: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/ryanair-subsidiary-malta-air-and-air-malta-can-live-happily-ever-after.712695

[Kerosene]

Flight Global article: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ryanair-confirms-malta-air-investment-458839/

[Mr @ Spotty M]

According to Jethro's the first aircraft was transferred as 9H-QAA yesterday, seems they are not hanging about.

[toledoashley]

MOL said in the press conference that an aircraft had already been transferred, and they will transfer more over the summer - but not repaint them until the winter.

[racedo]

Ryanair planning a big expansion in 2-3 years via aquisition. Getting EU Govts on board early.

[Kerosene]

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/ryanairs-malta-air-is-it-a-threat-to-air-malta.713893

[Kerosene]

A Times of Malta opinion piece ‘A winged Trojan horse’: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/a-winged-trojan-horse.714256