Airport CEO frames new Malta – New York route as shared tourism sector obligation 

Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg said the long-term success of Delta Airlines’ new Malta–New York route depends on the collective efforts of the entire Maltese tourism ecosystem.

After Delta launched its inaugural flight yesterday, Mr Borg pointed out that American visitors were Malta’s highest-spending tourists last year, while arrivals from the US increased by 47 per cent over 2023.

“These statistics show that Delta Air Lines is not taking a leap into the unknown but responding to a growing demand for travel to Malta among US travellers,” he said.

Over 90 per cent of seats on the inaugural flight were filled, an encouraging indicator.

However, Mr Borg stressed that sustained success will depend on delivery across the tourism value chain – from the airport experience to hotel services and the wider visitor journey.

From the airport’s end, he pledged MIA’s operational backing, saying Delta can count on the airport to help the service “yield positive results”.

The new route operates between the Malta International Airport and the JFK International Airport three times a week till October, arriving in Malta on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and departing to New York that same day.

Cover photo: Alan Borg/ LinkedIn