Malta is set to open flights to 19 countries, Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli announced last night following Prime Minister Robert Abela saying the airport should be reopening on 1st July.

Farrugia Portelli made the announcement during last night’s Insights on TVM, but did not divulge the full list of countries Malta will be flying to.

Elaborating on the road to reopening, Farrugia Portelli said a number of precautions will be taken at both the Departures and Arrivals halls of the Malta International Airport, including virtual check-ins and social distancing measures being put in place right up to boarding.

Travellers’ temperatures are expected to be taken before flying and upon arrival, and masks will need to be worn on the planes.

“I think the biggest marketing campaign we can do right now is to remind everyone that Malta is a safe destination,” the Tourism Minister said, going on to point out that, meanwhile in Gozo, a “very high influx” of bookings had been coming in for farmhouses.

“Everyone’s taste for travel hasn’t necessarily died,” Farrugia Portelli continued. “There are families who have closely followed how Malta dealt with this and are interested to holiday here.”

More information on Malta’s airport reopening – along with a number of other measures being lifted – is expected to be announced by Prime Minister Robert Abela at some point later today.

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