British Airways is to resume flights to Malta from spring 2014 after a five-year gap.
The carrier stopped flying to the Mediterranean island in 2009 but will begin operating a daily service from Gatwick on March 30.
BA will compete on the route with Easyjet and Air Malta, while tour operators Thomas Cook and Thomson also operate charters from Gatwick to Malta.
The new BA service to Malta will use a combination of Boeing 737 and Airbus 319/320 aircraft, featuring both economy and Club Europe business class.
Malta’s tourism minister Karmenu Vella said: “This announcement is a vote of confidence in our islands by one of the world's leading flag carriers."
BA will also be increasing the frequency of flights from Gatwick to Salzburg, Naples, Dubrovnik, Marrakech and Catania during summer 2014.
Peter Simpson, BA’s Gatwick director, added: “Expanding our leisure route network at Gatwick is fantastic news for British Airways customers, offering them even greater choice.”
ba.com