The decision to host the European Asylum Support Office in Malta is not only an important milestone for the country, being the first the EU agency to be hosted on the islands, but also a confirmation that Malta’s air transportation connectivity offers a comprehensive and efficient network that ensures good daily connection with all of the EU member states.

Commenting on this decision the chairman of Air Malta, Lawrence Zammit said, "International connectivity to Malta was one of the main pillars which Malta’s bid emphasised. This is a very important step for Malta and a concrete recognition of the efforts done by the National Airline, Air Malta in connecting the islands to Europe and the rest of the world. Air Malta today operates around 200 direct flights a week to around 40 primary airports in 15 EU member states."

Over the last thirty five years Air Malta has established a comprehensive and convenient air travel network with both the main European airport hubs as well as regional airports. The Maltese airline was relentless in its efforts to provide consistent, reliable, value for money services to both the local and tourists visiting the islands. Even the EU countries that are currently not serviced directly by the airline, are well served from Malta with over 350 weekly connections through Europe’s major airports to which Air Malta flies to.

International air connectivity was critical to the establishment of Malta’s tourism industry. Nowadays, Malta’s tourism has grown to become a key sector of the Maltese economy with an estimated 25% of the Gross Domestic Product.

Malta is now benefiting from an extensive network of flights not only provided by Air Malta but also by its various code-share partners including Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, Swiss Airlines, bmi, Czech Airlines, Emirates, Meridiana, Turkish Airlines and Aeroflot apart from the other agreements with various other airline partners. Currently 60% of Air Malta’s flights are code-shared. Through these and similar agreements Air Malta provides through-checkin for passengers connecting with other airlines. 

The air network established by Air Malta was also made to good use by the various local and multi-national organisations operating from Malta in the various industries including but not limited to microelectronics, pharmaceuticals and tuna.  

This decision has also various economic advantages for the islands in that it is expected that the hosting of this EU agency in Malta will increase business travel, accommodation in hotels and the organisation of various meetings and conferences in the years to come.