Upcoming carrier KM Malta Airlines is looking to adopt a low-cost model similar to European giant easyJet. The airline has released details about its four-tier fare structure, with some fares removing hand baggage allowances entirely.

KM Malta to implement low-cost features

The carrier's most basic fare, aptly named 'Economy Basic,' will remove the 10 kg hand baggage allowance currently offered by all Air Malta economy fares, instead allowing passengers just a single bag, such as a backpack or handbag, weighing up to 2 kg. This is similar to low-cost carrier easyJet's most basic economy fare, which allows passengers to bring a single bag, although easyJet permits up to 15 kg.

Photo: KM Malta Airlines

The airline's next economy tier - Economy Value - allows a small bag plus a checked bag of up to 10 kg, but still does not grant any cabin baggage allowances. Only the final two tiers - Economy Plus and Economy Flex - allow cabin baggage (up to 10 kg), along with a small bag and 20 kg of checked baggage.

According to its website, those flying on Basic or Value fares can add the airline's Priority option - which will include 10 kg cabin baggage and priority boarding - for €15 ($16) each way. Despite this bundled approach, the airline expressly states on its newly launched official website that "we are not a low-cost airline." It will also offer business class seating (with four tiers - Basic, Value, Plus and Flex) which will again reduce baggage allowances compared to Air Malta's current policy.

Earlier this month, KM Malta secured its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) and provided more details on its network and fleet plans, as well as launching ticket sales. The carrier will serve 17 destinations across Europe and fly with an initial fleet of eight Airbus A320neo jets.

Online bookings now available

The carrier has rolled out Phase Two of its ticket sales, with passengers now able to make reservations directly with the airline through its official website. Fares have been on sale since December 4, but only through travel agents, third-party websites, or the airline's call center.

On December 6, KM Malta's Facebook page posted that it had already secured over 45,000 bookings in the space of just two days. This figure has shot up since then, with the airline announcing it had attracted over 122,000 bookings in the week between December 4 and December 10. KM Malta added,

"[Bookings] exceeded all expectations and demonstrate the attractiveness of our new network strategy and the effectiveness of our new fare structures."

According to a Times of Malta report, the website encountered difficulties in the early stages of launching, with some customers saying the website was temporarily down, while others claim a bug prevented them from searching for certain fares.

17 destinations next summer

The new flag carrier plans to launch its first flight on March 31, 2024, ahead of a busy summer schedule. Out of its hub at Malta International Airport (MLA), the airline will operate services to 17 different airports across 15 major European cities - these destinations are Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Catania, Dusseldorf, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Lyon, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Prague, Rome, Vienna, and Zurich.