Turkish Airlines plane lands in Malta for first time

The first Turkish Airlines flight to Malta landed this afternoon, making Malta the airline's 226^th destination in 100 countries.

Roundtrip flights between Istanbul and Malta are operated three times per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Flight TK1369 left Istanbul at 12.35 p.m. local time and arrived at Malta International Airport at 2:20 pm to be greeted by the traditional water arch.

The aircraft, an Airbus A320 with 144 passengers on board, was welcomed by seven girls and musicians from the Malta Tourism Authority in traditional dress who presented a flower to each passenger before they proceeded to the arrivals lounge.

A high-level delegation of Turkish Airlines officials, led by Senior Vice-President, Sales and Marketing Sezgin Sağlam, was also greeted on the apron by Malta's Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella, the Turkish Ambassador to Malta, Mrs Refika Nihal Çevik, MTA Chief Executive Officer Josef Formosa Gauci and Malta International Airport CEO Markus Klaushofer. They then took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony next to the aircraft's steps.

They then proceeded to the Ministerial Lounge where they addressed the media, followed by the cutting of a celebration cake to mark the occasion.