KM Malta Airlines, the new flagship carrier of the island nation, has announced a bi-lateral codeshare agreement with the Lufthansa Group, one of the leading aviation groups in the world. The agreement will take effect from March 31, 2024, and will offer more travel options and benefits for the customers of both parties.
What is a codeshare agreement?
A codeshare agreement is a type of partnership between airlines that allows them to share flight codes and sell seats on each other’s flights. This means that customers can book a single ticket for a journey that involves multiple flights operated by different airlines, and enjoy a seamless travel experience with check-in and baggage handling.
Codeshare agreements also enable airlines to expand their network and reach to new destinations, as well as to optimize their flight schedules and capacities. Codeshare agreements are common in the aviation industry, and are usually based on mutual trust and cooperation between the partner airlines.
What are the benefits of the KM Malta Airlines and Lufthansa Group codeshare agreement?
The codeshare agreement between KM Malta Airlines and Lufthansa Group will connect the networks and flights of the participating partner airlines, namely KM, LH, LX, OS, and SN. These are the airline codes for KM Malta Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, respectively.
The agreement will result in KM Malta Airlines expanding its reach to 35 new destinations across Europe through services operated by the Lufthansa Group, in addition to its direct flights to Frankfurt, Munich, and Zurich. The agreement will also allow Lufthansa Group to place its airline codes on the KM Malta Airlines flights between Malta and Munich, Vienna, Brussels, and Zurich, while enabling connectivity from its expansive global network to and from Malta.
The customers of both KM Malta Airlines and Lufthansa Group will benefit from this agreement, as they will be able to access more flight options and destinations, as well as enjoy a smoother travel experience with check-in and baggage handling. The agreement will also enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of both airlines in the European market.
What are the details of the KM Malta Airlines and Lufthansa Group codeshare agreement?
The codeshare agreement will apply for flights departing from March 31, 2024, which is also the date when KM Malta Airlines will officially launch its operations. The airline will replace Air Malta, the former national carrier, which has been facing financial and operational challenges for years.
The KM Malta Airlines summer 2024 schedule will operate from March 31, 2024, through October 26, 2024, with the airline serving 17 airports across 15 key European cities, namely, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Catania, Dusseldorf, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Lyon, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Prague, Rome, Vienna, and Zurich.
The customers of KM Malta Airlines and Lufthansa Group can make bookings through their respective websites or travel agents. The codeshare flights will be marked with the airline codes of both airlines, and the customers will receive confirmation and boarding passes from the operating airline.
What are the reactions of the KM Malta Airlines and Lufthansa Group representatives?
A spokesperson for KM Malta Airlines expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, stating, “this codeshare agreement significantly broadens our reach to Europe. The Lufthansa Group holds an important position in the global aviation industry, and this collaboration is poised to enhance our presence in the European market. We look forward to further collaboration with LHG to deliver more advantages to our customers.”
A representative of the Lufthansa Group also welcomed the agreement, saying, “we are pleased to partner with KM Malta Airlines, the new flagship carrier of Malta. This codeshare agreement will offer our customers more travel choices and convenience, as well as strengthen our network and position in the Mediterranean region. We are confident that this partnership will be beneficial for both airlines and our customers.”
