1,194 Maltese take up Air Malta discounted referendum flights

Launched just last Sunday, subsidised Air Malta referendum and local council election flights have attracted 1,194 bookings so far. The figure was confirmed by Air Malta spokesman Stephen Gauci.  It appears that the scheme is attracting more interest than usual.

Last Sunday, the government announced that travel arrangements were being made for eligible voters living abroad to enable them to vote in the spring hunting referendum and local elections on 11 April.

Air Malta would be making return air tickets at €70 available, inclusive of taxes and other charges, to persons who are eligible to vote.

According to a parliamentary question, during the 2013 general elections, 4,891 Maltese took up the offer. The 2009 MEP elections had attracted 1,377 nationals to vote whereas the 2008 general elections saw 3,057 Maltese making use of the scheme.

The subsidised Air Malta tickets are often regarded by Maltese nationals living abroad both as a way to exert their civic rights and duties, and even to enjoy a weekend back home with relatives and friends.

The standard cut-down price for election scheme tickets is that of €35 whereas this time around the tickets are being offered for €70.

In a report from 2012, MaltaToday had revealed that during the 2008 general elections, Air Malta had received €1,015,724 in subsidies from the government for the scheme, and during the 2009 MEP elections, it received €442,345.

Travel to Malta is possible from April 6 to 11 and return travel is from April 11 to April 19, both dates included.

These travel arrangements are available for eligible voters, including those married to foreigners, studying, working or undergoing medical treatment abroad; and their dependants.

A dependant refers to the child or stepchild of such person under the age of 18 years, or the spouse of such a person.

Persons to whom this offer applies must be eligible voters whose name appears in the Electoral Register published on 26 January this year.