Under the deal, Etihad will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on services operated by Air Malta between Milan and Malta. In turn, Air Malta will place its ‘KM’ code on Etihad’s flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “Malta is one of Europe’s top leisure destinations and one that is also increasingly driving a greater volume of business traffic.

“This new codeshare with Air Malta will open up the market to Etihad Airways as well as provide access to our wealth of destinations to residents of Malta.”

Joe Cappello, Chief Executive of Air Malta, said, “Through this codeshare with Etihad, more tourists can fly to Malta from far-flung destinations which the Maltese have an extensive network to avail themselves of both for business and leisure travel.”