Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1517660
2 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 20 MARCH 2024 2 KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt JUSTIN Mallia, 25, from Borm- la was remanded in custody for stealing two gold French-era medals from the Maritime Mu- seum in Birgu on Monday. He was charged with ggravat- ed theft, being in possession of the two illegally acquired medals belonging to the government of Malta and defrauding the Mar- itime Museum. Mallia was also charged with breaching three bail decrees, with the last one handed earlier this month. Mallia risked forfeiting €20,800 in bail money. The accused initially admitted to the charges brought against him, saying he stole the medal to pay off a debt he had incurred. The prosecution explained how Mallia had posed as an Ed- ucation Department official who was delivering documents. In light of the fact that an event for school children was taking place, he was allowed in by museum security. After the medals were reported stolen, police managed to track down Mallia easily, and when they knocked on his door, he handed over the stolen objects immediately. The accused later changed his plea to not guilty, with Magis- trate Charmaine Galea inform- ing the accused he faced eight years imprisonment. No request for bail was made. Heritage Malta reacts Reacting to the incident, Her- itage Malta thanked police for their swift action, saying it was possible through the immediate action of museum officials and a significant investment in securi- ty systems. The medals were awarded be- tween 1800 and 1801 to leaders and distinguished members of the National Congress battal- ions who fought to liberate Mal- ta from the French. The medals are very rare and, therefore, valuable, particularly because of their historical signif- icance to Malta's history. The medals were awarded between 1800 and 1801 to leaders and distinguished members of the National Congress battalions who fought to liberate Malta from the French (Photo: Heritage Malta) Accused posed as Education Department official to steal medals worth around €400,000 from the maritime museum in Birgu Man posed as Education Department official to steal historic medals from maritime museum Universal Air launches regional flight operations UNIVERSAL Air has an- nounced the launch of its re- gional air travel operations, on- line bookings and mobile app. Combining the cost-efficien- cy of a budget airline with the premium economy service of a traditional carrier, the airline's aim is to bring the joy back to flying, prioritising customer satisfaction, technological in- novation and environmental responsibility. Over the coming weeks, Uni- versal Air will begin services to a network of vibrant and culturally rich destinations in- cluding Athens, Corfu, Pécs, Munich, Palermo and Ibiza. A further schedule is also planned with more new routes planned throughout 2024. With a fleet of Dash 8 air- craft, known for fuel efficien- cy and comfort, the aircrafts' 78-seater cabins feature leather seating in pairs with ample leg room, and passengers will ben- efit from an all-inclusive 15kg luggage allowance. Universal Air's CEO, Simon Cook, said: "Our ambition is to lead a renaissance in air travel, becoming the preferred airline for modern travellers seeking value and convenience. We want to exceed our customers' expectations, making flying more accessible, enjoyable and sustainable, via our growing network of destinations. With an innovative booking plat- form, customer-focused ethos, dedicated cabin crew and en- vironmental responsibility, we aim to enhance the low-cost customer experience at every turn." Universal Air's new website and advanced mobile app have been designed to offer intuitive booking and come with de- tailed destination guides and exclusive early booking deals. The airline is also developing strategic partnerships with a range of Global Distribution Services (GDS) and Online Travel Agents (OTAs) to en- hance its market presence and booking efficiency in Malta and across the Mediterranean. Universal Air has a strong track record within aviation having provided charter and cargo services for many years from its base at Malta Inter- national Airport. The airline is also supported by a dedicated, multilingual team. Leveraging the island's stra- tegic position in the Mediter- ranean, Universal Air's head- quarters in Malta provides an excellent base for connecting with a range of destinations.