Malta’s Universal Air Ends Scheduled Routes

Malta-based Universal Air will cease all scheduled passenger flights at the end of this month—just over one year after entering the commercial market.

The airline says its final scheduled services will operate on May 30, after which it will shift its focus exclusively to charter and ACMI operations.

The decision follows what the carrier described as a “careful strategic review” of its business model. In a statement, Universal Air said the move was “driven by external factors beyond our control,” prompting a change in direction.

The airline was acquired in late 2021 by Andrew Walker, whose investment portfolio includes the Australian space company Equatorial Launch Australia. Under Walker’s ownership, it evolved from operating humanitarian and ad hoc charter missions to a more diversified operation that included scheduled passenger services using De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft.

Scheduled operations began in March 2024, with initial routes from Malta International Airport (MLA) to Athens, Greece; Ibiza, Spain; Palermo, Italy; and Pécs, Hungary. The network later expanded to include Corfu, Greece; Debrecen, Hungary; Nice, France; and Tripoli, Libya.

According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, Universal Air is currently operating four scheduled routes from MLA to Debrecen, Ibiza, Palermo and Tripoli. It is also offering scheduled flights between Debrecen and Leipzig, Germany.

Speaking to Aviation Week in August 2024, CEO Simon Cook described the airline’s niche strategy. “Our strategy focuses on routes that aren’t mainstream, like our first route into Pécs, Hungary, where larger carriers can’t operate due to the shorter runway,” he said. “We’re targeting regions with limited connectivity to create a unique offering.”

In a statement, Universal Air said its charter operations would continue unaffected and confirmed that all passengers impacted by the cancellation of scheduled flights will receive a full refund. 

Universal Air did not immediately respond to Aviation Week's request for further comment on the decision to withdraw from scheduled operations.