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5 NEWS 9.9.2021 UK export specialists building Malta links INTERNATIONAL Trade Matters (ITM), import and export trade specialists based in the South West of England, are looking to expand its operations in Malta. e award-winning team of inde- pendent UK experts will be work- ing with, and for, Maltese business- es looking at access to the British marketplace. Linda Middleton-Jones, Manag- ing Director at International Trade Matters, said: "Following the UK's exit from the European Union and with global commerce still slowly recovering from the Covid-19 pan- demic, we are looking to build on the mutual heritage and trade be- tween our two countries." "e South West of England and Malta have a special relationship that goes back over generations, and we are keen to develop that friendship and open-up new busi- ness opportunities with our col- leagues at e Malta Chamber of Commerce." ITM offers advice and support on a range of strategic and tactical issues relating to entering and suc- ceeding in overseas markets. It has organised and participat- ed on trading missions to Russia recently before the Covid-19 pan- demic. "Our specialist team organises trade shows and specific sector events, and work with clients across sector related industries including agri-tech, food and drink, tourism, education, marine, creative servic- es, media and marketing," Middle- ton-Jones said. "We can support with AEO and AE authorisations and, provide digital or, face-to-face training on international trade documentary requirements." She said that the relationship be- tween the South West region/UK and Malta is unique, and compa- nies we speak to in the UK are in- terested in business and collabora- tion opportunities, and especially in forging new and existing trading partnerships. "In this volatile and uncertain world we are keen to act as an in- termediary in Malta/UK by offering training, introductions, working with government & local agencies, and offering trade clarity, advice, and support," Middleton-Jones said. ITM CEO Linda Middleton-Jones Air Malta launches its winter 2021/22 flight schedule AIR Malta will start operating its Win- ter flight schedule on the 31st October with a planned 67 return direct weekly scheduled services to 15 major Europe- an Airports. London and Paris will be served with an average of nine weekly flights each, with services to London's Heathrow Airport, Paris Charles De Gaulle and Paris Orly, whilst Munich, Rome, Vi- enna, Zurich and Catania will each be served an average of six times a week. e airline will also be extending its services to the cities of Berlin, Dussel- dorf, and Lyon for operation during Winter. Commenting on this Winter's sched- ule, Air Malta's Executive Chairperson David G Curmi stated, "is schedule shows a strong commitment by Air Malta to the Islands' connectivity and to the local tourism industry. Our aim this Winter is to present a schedule that secures services to major European cit- ies and key European airports whilst gradually building back up passenger and cargo capacity to be ready for Sum- mer 2022." Roy Kinnear, Air Malta's Chief Com- mercial Officer, added, "With this Win- ter schedule, we are aiming to offer al- most half a million seats on the market. Whilst this is still not a Winter schedule fully back to pre-COVID levels, we are hoping to see markets continue to re- cover and build travel confidence before summer 2022 operation, which we en- visage to be significantly larger in oper- ation. We are encouraged by the strong vaccination program across Europe and this, coupled with the pent-up demand for travel, will assist in boosting trav- el and tourism to the Maltese Islands while motivating more Maltese to visit their favourite cities in Europe." is Winter Air Malta will be oper- ating direct flights to 15 destinations namely, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Catania, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Paris Charles De Gaulle, Paris Orly, Rome Fiumicino, London Heathrow, Milan Linate, Lyon, Munich, Vienna, and Zu- rich. e Maltese National Airline will con- tinue code-share agreements with Aer- oflot, airBaltic, Air France, Austrian Air- lines, Brussels Airlines, Czech Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Swiss International Air Lines and Turkish Airlines.

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