e Flight Network

In recent years there’s been a surge of new airlines, many of them budget airlines that can let us travel to our holiday destination for less. This is all well and good but sometimes our flights may get cancelled or we may miss the plane through no fault of our own.

It’s annoying and can sometimes take days off our holidays, potentially even having to cancel them all together. It’s therefore important that you take necessary precautions when booking your holiday and flights. The first obvious measure to take is Travel Insurance, never leave home without it, most people don’t know how many different eventualities are covered by travel insurance, it isn’t just if you get a dodgy stomach in Spain or break your leg on the ski slopes.

Travel Insurance also covers flight related issues, flight cancellations are normally covered as well as if you have to cancel your holiday for a medical emergency. If you’re really unlucky and end up on the end of a 12 hour flight delay then you are normally covered under what is called Delayed Departure Insurance, as obviously if you’re delayed by this period of time or - heaven forbid – longer, then there’s a good chance that you’re going to miss out on a day of sun or a night in a warm bed.

The delayed departure insurance would help in the eventuality that your hotel will still charge you for your booking even if you are not even in the country yet! One point I must make is that with some insurers this cover does not come as standard and may need you to enquire about whether they offer this and if it will cost extra.

Aside from Travel Insurance there are still ways to cover your flights in case the airline shuts down or goes bust. In the case of an airline you’ve booked directly with going bust, normally you would not be protected financially. It is advised to book your flight through an intermediary such as an ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ License), ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents), or AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) accredited agent.

Paying for your holidays and flights on your credit card can offer some level of protection especially for flights but again there are details you should check. You should ensure that the company or airline you are booking through has its name on the transaction, this means any losses will be refunded to you, but like most good ideas this is somewhat of a two sided blade because some cheap flights merchants like EasyJet charge extra to pay by credit card and would rather you pay by charge or debit card, thus removing your protection.

If you’ve booked your flight as a part of a package holiday through a travel agent either over the internet or on the high street then you’re normally covered under the Package Travel Regulations. This stipulates that every package deal that includes flights is covered by an ATOL (Air travel organisers licence), meaning that the flight company has enough money to recompense passengers even if they go under. To be on the safe side it is advisable to check if your travel company is ATOL bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority.

So finger’s crossed your holiday goes without a stitch but just in case it’s best to cover yourself in the event of a cancellation, a delay or any other strange reason for your holiday being disturbed.

One of Europe’s leading low-fare airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, is set to start operating a route between Oslo and Malta from April 2008 onwards.

The announcement was made after Norwegian AS — one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines — successfully concluded negotiations with Malta International Airport (MIA) and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), opening the doors for Norwegian AS to operate the route offering cheap flights to Malta.

Norwegian Air Shuttle will operate two flights to Malta a week, every Tuesday and Saturday, and is expected to move tourism to Malta in Norway, providing the Mediterranean island with a new influx in tourism. Joining the likes of Ryanair, who have been operating direct routes to Malta for over a year with relative success.

The addition of yet another low cost airline is expected to further boost tourist numbers visiting Malta and Norwegian Air Shuttle opens a window of opportunity to attract more Scandinavian tourists to visit the Maltese islands. Malta’s economy heavily depends on tourism and the introduction of low cost airlines to offer cheap flights to Malta is seen as a positive move by the authorities who had been protective of national airline Air Malta.

Norwegian AS commenced operations in September 2002 with four domestic routes and six B737-300 aircraft but has grown considerably since then and nowadays has 31 aircrafts and an additional 53 new B737-800’s on order from early next year. The low-cost airline offers a flight network of 128 routes to 76 destinations from Norway, Sweden and Poland.

“We are very proud to include Malta in our already extensive European network” said Daniel Skjeldam, Chief Commercial Officer of Norwegian AS.

“Malta has always been a favourite destination for Scandinavians and we realised that there is a great demand, judging from the numerous enquiries we receive from our customers. We believe that with low prices and a direct flight, it will be a success”. Mr Skjeldam added.

He went on to say that the airline is collaborating with the MTA and MIA to promote the route in Norway, offering cheap flights to Malta, and he expressed his appreciation for the support that both entities have shown throughout.

When planning your Telluride, Colorado vacation first there’s the airfare, then the lodging, next is the activities. The list of things to plan out can seem daunting. Utilize the following guidelines for planning your Telluride, Colorado getaway.

1) Flights & Airfare To Telluride
Many people who book flights to Telluride, Colorado choose to fly into the Telluride Regional Airport (airpot code TEX). Another option is the Montrose Regional Airport. Read below for more details on flights to Telluride.

Telluride Regional Airport (TEX)
The Telluride Regional Airport is only a 5-minute drive to Telluride and the Telluride Mountain Village. Many flights operate between Denver to Telluride which ensures excellent deals on airfare.

Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)
A short and beautiful 1.5 hour drive from Telluride, the Montrose Regional Airport offers year-round access from Denver, Phoenix and Houston. From December through March, there are direct jet flights from Newark and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

2) Telluride Car Rentals and Shuttles
Once you book your flights to Telluride and your airfare is all sorted out, its time to book your ground transportation. You can either rent a car and drive yourself from your selected airport or rent a shuttle. Either option has their own advantages. If you book a Telluride car rental, you are guaranteed to have a lot of freedom. Having your own wheels enables you to visit outer lying areas and provides the ability to explore nearby mountain towns. Some people utilize their car rental to visit the adjacent community of Silverton and Ouray. On the other hand, if you are coming for the sole purpose of skiing the Telluride Ski Resort you can book shuttles from Telluride or Montrose airport and never have to worry about the car. Telluride has a FREE in town transportation system that is unmatched in other Colorado resort towns.

3) Telluride Lodging – Hotels, Condo Rentals and Private Homes. Sort out what type of lodging you would like to stay in. Telluride lodging varies from condo rentals, hotels, private home rentals and bed and breakfasts. All of Telluride’s lodging options offer something unique. For instance, renting your own condo allows you more space and provides an excellent option for cooking your own food at night. This will save you a serious amount of money if you’re coming for more than a couple of days. Another option for saving money on cooking your own food is to stay in a private home rental. Telluride vacation home rentals are dotted throughout the entire valley and provide an intimate venue for family gatherings. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Telluride, look no further than staying at one of the several bed and breakfasts. Here you will enjoy the rustic ambiance of Victorian homes converted into unique bed and breakfast stays. Lastly, a convenient and popular option for staying in Telluride is to book a hotel room. This is a great option for those on a smaller budget. Several of the hotels in Telluride offer great access to the Telluride Ski Resort while also maintaining a convenient location to the town itself.

4) Telluride Skiing & Snowboarding – Activities For All Something that is unique to the town of Telluride is the endless possibilities for mountain activities. From skiing corduroy at the Telluride Ski Resort to making deep powder turns at Colorado’s only helicopter served terrain, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy hiking, biking, fly-fishing, sleigh rides, golfing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, festivals, music, restaurants and more. Choosing what activities best suit you and your party will ensure everyone has a good time in Telluride.

5) Repeat as Necessary
Many visitors to the Telluride area find that one vacation isn’t enough. That’s the magic of this old mining town. Every visit to Telluride unfolds to create new memories that last a lifetime.

During the winter of 2006/07, Europe suffered one of the worst snowfalls on record. As the busy Christmas and New Year season approached, ski resorts across the continent waited nervously for the snow to arrive. But the snow never came - at least not in the quantities normally expected.

Many skiers and snowboarders were faced with the grim prospect of skiing on thin strips of artificial snow, or were shipped to other resorts higher in altitude, along with everyone else, to compete for what little white stuff there was on the ground.

Global warming was made the scapegoat for the poor conditions, although it’s more likely that this was just a freak season, (global warming is generally regarded as a more gradual process) but there’s no denying that winter seasons in Europe and all over the world have been getting shorter and ski resorts are receiving less snow than in previous years.

However, rather than putting the punters off, the popularity of snow sports is growing year on year, probably due to the availability of cheap flights to many cities near ski resorts and the rise in the number of young people taking up skiing or snowboarding in one of the growing number of snow domes or dry slopes in the UK.

But along with the weather, the way people book their skiing holidays appears to be changing. Rather than book a ski package several months in advance and risk bad conditions, more people are keeping a close eye on the snow forecast and then booking a D.I.Y. trip at the last minute. Booking flights, accommodation and transfers separately may be a little more hassle than booking a package, but it can actually be cheaper and is also more flexible.

Another tactic is the advance booking of a flight to a city which has several ski resorts within easy reach, and then choosing the resort with the best snow conditions at the last minute. By booking early it is possible to get cheap flights to Zurich, Geneva, Lyon, Innsbruck or Toulouse for example, all of which have dozens of well known ski resorts within just a couple of hour’s drive from the airport.

As the world’s weather becomes ever more unpredictable and snowfalls become more unreliable, it’s likely that these methods of booking will become the norm, and we may see the decline of the traditional “early bird” package, except in the highest, most snow sure ski resorts.

Searching for inexpensive flights online could prove to be a difficult experience for most people out there because you are going to encounter hundreds of websites that offer discounts on airfare. Many of these websites also offer cheap international ticket rates. You need to know that official international airfares are governed by IATA (International Air Transport Association) and it does not allow direct discounting of airfare. But there is a way of purchasing cheap tickets through consolidators and wholesalers. So lets find out how exactly you can find cheap flights online.

Many low cost carriers are not full IATA members. So they can lower their airfare whenever they want and offer discount packages to their customers. These local companies have set up their websites that not only help to find you cheap flights but also hotel reservations and car rentals. Some airlines also have student discount offers listed on their websites. Some search engines display a list of travel agencies that meet your itinerary criteria. You can then find the best of these sites and book reservations with their supplier. You will be able to find national as well as international travel agencies this way by searching on the Internet.

Airfare Watchdog is an online portal where you can learn about special deals and offers and much more information about other travel arrangements. The address is: www.airfarewatchdog.com. Similarly there are other sites that help you find local and international flight rates in particular seasons and useful information. www.travelzoo.com or www.airfarechoice.com are also two such portals.

Consolidators are sold tickets at very low costs. You can find any air travel consolidator in your area and find out about their pricing structure and other facilities they have to offer. Consolidators allow travelers to compare prices of different travel agencies and also help them in choosing the best time of flight. There are three types of air travel consolidators: destination specialists, wholesale consolidators and online travel consolidators. Destination specialists are able to draw discounts depending on a particular destination. Wholesale consolidators do not sell tickets directly but you can find out more about multi-stop specialists who come under this category. They might be able to help you out in finding cheaper travel agencies.

Online travel consolidators are the best way of finding the cheapest flights, national or international. They might not be the best in providing other services but when it comes to pricing, thats where they specialize. You will find a lot of online agencies like that, such as Travelocity, Skyscanner, Cheap Flights, Expedia, STA Travel and many more. Expedia and Travelocity are two of the most popular online travel agencies. They both offer special flight prices with many airlines all around the world. Consolidator fares can save you up to 70-80% of your airfare. Although they are the best to go around when finding cheap flights, many people still like to consider buying direct airline tickets because they are more reliable and offer more services than the consolidators.

Choosing the right time for booking your flights is also important. Sometimes the best deals are offered at the last minute of reservations. If you are traveling alone you might want to wait until the day of your departure. However, booking in advance is always safer and more reliable and you never know when your luck might take a turn and the airline might offer you tickets at a discount rate when you purchase them. Again, there are online travel agencies that offer discounts if your book in advance. A little search here and there will teach you how this system works. Also get in touch with travel agents to find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of early and late reservations.

No matter where you’re traveling or whether you’re traveling by car, plane, or train, you’ll want to make sure that you arrive there with everything that you need. You’ll also want to save as much money as you can in getting there. If you’re flying there are several ways that you can save money on your flights. A charter flight is often your best bet for getting to your destination cheaply. The reason that charter flights let you travel for less than other flights is that you fly on the days that they have flights scheduled. The only drawback is that many charter companies will cancel any of the flights that aren’t filled enough. This means that you can find yourself without a flight at the last minute. If you’re going to be booking your flight with a charter company, make sure that you find out what happens if the flight you have booked needs to be rescheduled.

When you’re planning your trip with some time to spare before you book your flight you should do a little comparison shopping on the Internet. By looking around at the prices offered by different airline companies you may be able to get a deal for your flights that you can’t find anywhere else. Many airline discounters can put you on a watch list so that you’ll be notified when there is a low price available for a flight to your destination.

Courier flights are another way that you might consider flying. These freight flights travel regularly and are generally always on time. The only drawback is that you’ll only be able to take one piece of carry-on luggage. If you’re planning on traveling for awhile you may want to consider a regular flight, but if you don’t mind traveling with a small amount of luggage this might be a good alternative choice. Traveling by plane doesn’t always mean that you have to pay a high price. By following these tips and looking around you can find yourself on a plane for a very low cost.

The other day I overheard a conversation between two women discussing their summer holiday plans. One was telling the other that she had gone to her local travel agent and asked for a cheap package holiday in Spain. The agent had quickly managed to find a holiday that suited and the lady booked it immediately.

The other woman said that she wished she could do the same but had been unable to find a travel agent who could help. Apparently, someone she knew recommended Northern Cyprus to her. The description of its climate, fabulous beaches, beautiful scenery and welcoming local people deeply appealed to her but she had been unable to find any travel agent offering package holidays there. The person who recommended Northern Cyprus to her explained how it was possible to book flights and accommodation online but she felt apprehensive about not going through a travel agent.

I was quite taken aback at hearing this admission of total dependency on travel agents and ignorance of Internet travel sites. After all, this was 2008 in the U.K. where traditional travel agents have long since been marginalised by online travel sites. Yet, as the conversation developed it became apparent that neither woman knew anything about what resources the Internet offers in this respect.

It got me thinking about how many other people there were around who need tips on organising travel online and when I got home I decided to write down the following seven steps for them.

Step 1: Finding out about the travel destination

Open Google and type into the search box, the name of whatever country or general area you want to holiday in, followed by the words “travel information” or “travel guide”. For example; “Spain travel information”. Browse several of the sites your search throws up and then decide which ones give you the best travel tips relevant to your holiday needs.

Step 2: Deciding on the actual resort

Use the best sites you find from step 1 to decide which resort or locality offers you most of what you want for your vacation. For example, localities with secluded beaches or beaches with lots of facilities, resorts that have plenty to keep the children occupied or quiet villages in scenic locations, etc.

Having familiarised yourself with all that you want to know about the resort or locality, ascertain the nearest airports (or other relevant transportation centres).

Step 3: Finding suitable accommodation

When you have found some resorts that satisfy your criteria, look for suitable accommodation in them. This may require typing a new search term into Google because the sites you have looked at so far may not have sufficient detailed information about specific accommodation in a given locality. They may however have some links to other sites that do. If so, check the links out before starting a new search. If you do need to do a new search, the best search term to use would be something like; Name of resort or locality followed by the word “accommodation”. For example if after researching southern Spain, you had decided you liked what you had read about Mojacar as a holiday resort, you would type; “Mojacar accommodation”. Here’s a tip worth remembering: you may need to refer back to the other website pages that you have already opened so keep them open by doing your accommodation search in a new tab. In case you don’t know about using tabs, take a look at your browser tools options and learn how to set your browser up so that you can open new pages in new tabs.

Step 4: Checking cheapest flight availability

When you have ascertained that accommodation exists in your chosen locality, the next step is check out what flights (or other transportation) is available to get you to the resort.

Open another tab on your browser and this time type in the search term, “cheapest flights” followed by the name of nearest airport. If there are other, more distant airports that you would be prepared to consider, you might want to run separate searches for each airport.

Spend time on checking for flights because quite considerable variations in ticket prices exits, not only from flight operator to flight operator but also from one airport to another even when they are more or less the same distance from your departure airport and operated by the same company. Very significant price variations will also be found by trying different departure and arrival dates.

Step 5: Provisionally book accommodation

Assuming that you establish the availability of flights (or other transportation) at the time you want and within your budget, you will be in a position to provisionally book accommodation. Return to the browser tab you left open with the websites providing accommodation details and follow the instructions for contacting the person or organisation offering the accommodation. Sometimes this will be an automatic online process and sometimes you will need to send an email. Submit the dates you have decided upon from the flight availability research. You will not normally be asked for a deposit at this stage but if you are, inform the accommodation owner that you want them to provisionally hold the dates until after you have booked your flight.

Step 6: Booking your flight

Having received confirmation that the accommodation is available for you between the selected dates, return to the website where you found the cheapest flight deal and book your outgoing and return flights. Very occasionally you might be unlucky and the flights on the selected dates are no longer available. If so you will need to select new dates and redo step 5.

Step 7: Confirm Accommodation

Once you have your flight has been booked you are in a safe position to confirm your accommodation booking. Usually, this will require that a deposit is paid, either online or by bank transfer. Either way, the balance is usually paid upon arrival at the accommodation.

If you’ve got a flight coming up soon, and a little extra time to spend preparing for your flight, you might want to try checking out a few of these sites that offer information and tips on air travel.

1.SeatGuru.com Started by a frequent traveler in 2001, SeatGuru is a repository of information on the difference between airline seats. The site offers detailed seat maps, specific comments and observations about the seats, color coding to differentiate between the quality in seats, information on seat pitch and width measurements in all classes, and icons that inform on in-flight services.

2.1000tipsfortrips.com Those who travel frequently know the ins and outs of air travel. 1000 tips offers advice from people just like you who travel and have learned from their mistakes and successes on their trips.

3.ASPCA.org What could the ASPCA possibly have to tell you about air travel? Many pet owners often have to take their pets on airplanes, and their site offers top ten tips for safe air travel with your pet.

4.BudgetTravelonline.com The magazine Budget Travel has a website that is filled with the same timely and budget conscious advice that the print magazine is filled with. For air travelers, there are the basic travel tips about packing, advice on frequent flyer miles programs, tips for traveling with children or for sending children alone on an airplane, and advice that falls in between all of these topics.

BudgetTravelonline also has up to the minute travel deals that have been handpicked by Budget Travel’s editors. There is also a free newsletter that you can subscribe to that will keep you informed on timely deals and tips.

5.Flyingwithkids.com What’s the best FAA approved seat that converts automatically into a stroller? What advice do flight attendants have for parents who bring children on board? Where can I get a pre-made carry-on packing list for my kids? All of these questions and many more are answered at Flyingwithkids.

This site, which bills itself as a place for “air travel tips for families flying with an infant or small child” has product reviews, advice, packing lists, and travel stories for those who find themselves sitting next to a small one on board. There is even a place for visitors to the site to ask questions that they don’t see already answered on the page.

6.Seniors-site.com There are special considerations for senior citizens when they are traveling on an airplane, and this site explains what they may be. Tips on getting discounted airfare, combating fear of flying, and dealing with delays, overbooking and involuntary bumping can be found here.

7.USA Today’s Today in the Sky blog USA Today offers a column in the form of a blog that gives news and analysis about airlines, airports, and air travel. Ben Mutzabaugh posts news related to air travel several times a day on his blog that ranges from what laws the government is passing for airlines to which airports are cutting flights to which airline is beginning to charge for a previously free amenity. If it’s timely air travel or airline news, Today in the Sky is covering it.

Since the column is a blog, readers can post comments and questions about the articles. The blog is also categorized so readers who interested in seeing the pieces just on one topic, such as baggage, can find all related entries easily.

8.Worldairportguide.com Worldairportguide has taken the information from most of the major international airports in the world and put it all in one convenient site for travelers to find. The site gives basic information such as airports’ addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

9.Smartertravel.com Want to know which airlines offer the best ammenties? What’s the best day of the week to book air travel? What are today’s top air travel news items?

10.TSA.gov Six years ago, most airline travelers would have never thought to visit the Transportation Security Authority’s website for information before traveling. However, since 9/11, security has been increased for all forms of travel and especially for air travel.

With flights more affordable than they have ever been, more and more holidaymakers are heading abroad and planning for their half term and summer getaways early. However, with travel agents, flight operators and online price comparison websites to choose from, finding a cheap flights can still cause a few headaches, so here’s a step-by-step guide to point you in the right direction.

BOOK EARLY – The longer you leave it, the more you’ll pay. The early bird bags the best deal so consider everything you’ll need to book including flights, accommodation, car hire, airport parking and travel insurance early.

PICK YOUR DESTINATION – For many a set destination will already be in mind, but if you’re unsure, look at the window of time you have available and decide on the maximum and minimum length of time you want to be away for. The more flexible you can be, the more money you are likely to save.

TAKE A COMPLETE SEARCH – Though there are many traditionally low-priced airlines such as easyJet and RyanAir, they are not necessarily the cheapest and might not compete with each other on certain destinations. The easiest way to ensure you’re getting the best deal is to use an online comparison service such as travelsupermarket.com to compare prices from hundreds of providers with one search.

THINK ABOUT WHAT MATTERS – Your holiday won’t get off to a ‘flyer’ if you’re not happy with what’s available on your flight. Be sure to check that you have in-flight meals, potentially select your own seat, or check the amount of luggage you can carry.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES – Don’t be rigid about the airport you use if you want to get the best deal. For example, if you live in the North West of England and traditionally fly from Manchester, why not consider Liverpool John Lennon airport, or a short drive to Birmingham? Regional departure points are usually quieter and often have easier access. Also consider alternative arrival points in your destination… for example, if your heading to the Costa del Sol look beyond Malaga and consider Almeria, Murcia, Gibraltar and other local airports. This could save you time and cash.

DIRECT OR CHANGEOVERS – Think about whether you want to bother with the hassle of a changeover if you’re taking a long-haul flight. Though direct flights are sometimes more expensive they can be much more convenient and reduce the likelihood of baggage being lost, etc.

MAKE YOUR BOOKING – Don’t sit and wait for prices to drop, because this is rare. Grab your booking while the price is good and remember to use the name on your passport and read the booking conditions so you know whether you can change or cancel your trip.

Hopefully with these easy-to-follow tips you can save a bundle on your next flight! Good luck and bon voyage!

A no-frills flight from London’s Luton Airport to Malta that didn’t depart on has set alarm bells ringing on the holiday island.

The flight operator claims no flight was scheduled, while one newspaper said they had a photograph showing a departure board with ‘cancelled’ next to the flight number.

The Malta tourist industry pushed for low cost airlines to be allowed to operate to the island in the hope of arresting the recent decline in visitor numbers, and agreement was reached with Ryanair, with the inaugural flight from Luton in November.

With a projected 80,000 to 100,000 extra tourists a year, the arrival of new flights to Malta has been warmly welcomed and seen by many as the saviour of the holidays and hotel industry, with a knock on effect for the property for sale industry to overseas buyers.

The exisiting carriers, including the national airline Air Malta, have responded with offers of their own, and the price of flying to Malta has come down significantly in the last few months.

But what looks like a cancelled flight due to a lack of passengers has sounded alarm bells.

‘The Malta hotels and holiday industry was looking forward to the year ahead with a sense of optimism’, comment a local travel guide, ‘The extra tourists being brought in by Ryanair is a major boost for the island’s economy. But if a flight has been cancelled just weeks after their service started we just have to hope that it’s not a sign for the future, and projected arrival numbers haven’t been wildly over estimated. Hopefully there wasn’t a flight scheduled at all rather than being cancelled.’

Cheaper Malta Flights

‘There is a possibility’, continue the guide, ‘That the introduction of the low cost airlines flying to Malta will merely delay the long term decline of the island’s tourist industry. Unless money is spent on the infrastructure and improving the environment for the tourists generally there is a danger that a lot of visitors will be one-off. If there’s a lesson to be learned in Malta that the government and her agencies have failed to grasp it is that sustainable tourism is built on repeat visitors. At the moment a lot of visitors from the UK see Malta as a one-off trip’.

As well as Ryanair, it was hoped that easyJet would also start services to Malta, but the latest reports are that talks have failed to produce an agreement. But brighter news has come from the island’s flag carrier Air Malta.

As well as at one stage selling two tickets a minute in a recent promotion the airline is starting a new service from Liverpool in April.

The property market will also be keeping a close eye on tourist numbers now that the new flights have been given the green light. If visitor numbers do drop in the medium term it could be good news for locals looking to buy their first property.

There has been some discontent on the island about the rising prices of property in Malta, and with less overseas buyers the possibility of prices falling and more islanders being able to get on the property ladder could be welcome news, as today’s tourist is often tomorrow’s property buyer.

But now that low cost airlines are offering cheaper flights, this could help the Malta hotels and holiday market as more people consider three and four day breaks instead of the traditional week or fortnight, boosting the overall number of visitors, especially if Air Malta and the low cost airlines bring the cost of Malta flights to levels seen for the Spanish islands.

Malta has traditionally seen the majority of her visitors from the UK, but this could be changing to a more diverse mix in future years.

Last year saw a record number of visitors from Italy, and increased enquiries have been received at estate agents across the island from Scandanvia, Holland, France and Belgium, helping to increase the demand for Malta property.