Malta Air Show September 23

Preperations are underway for the Malta internationalpackage of other attractions to draw new tourists to
Air Show, Malta's annual air show which will draw tensthe island.
of thousands of islanders and tourists to the eventThe first half of the year has been a disappointing
over the weekend of September 23 and 24.one for the Malta holidays industry, with a drop in
Making the event a truly international one, as well astourists for the first six months of the year
the Armed Forces of Malta participating, the French,compared to the same period last year.
Italian, Dutch Swiss and Spanish will all have planesCommenting on the recently released figures showing
and crew in attendance, plus the British Royal Aira drop in visitors, one independent travel guide for
Force and US Air Force.Malta believes that events like the air show should be
Among the planes taking part are two Alpha jetspromoted more.
from France, one of which will be doing an aerial'Malta needs good news', they say, 'and if potential
display, six F-16's with two Dutch F-16's flying, andtourists could see on a Malta map of events quality
from the RAF two Harriers and two Tornadoes, withdisplays such as the air show it would be a good
one of the Harriers expected to do an aerialreason to visit the island.
demonstration.The island needs to compete against other
Ticket prices for the Saturday or Sunday are lowdestinations in the Mediterranean, but while most of
compared to many international air shows, ensuringthem are seeing an increase in visitor numbers, Malta
access is available to many of the Maltese populationis showing a drop'.
as well as enthusiasts and veterans who travel fromMany hoteliers and others in the holiday industry are
around Europe for the weekend. Prices this year arehoping that cheap Malta flights might become a reality
4.5 Maltese (around US $12) for either day, within the near future. There has been talk of low cost
public transport to the show available throughout thecarriers from the UK and Ireland providing services to
island.the island for some time now, but no deals have
With the tourist season beginning to slow down,been struck yet.
many of the hotels in Malta see the air show as aUnemployment on the island is high at over 8 per
tourist attraction and organise transport to and fromcent, and tourism is a major employer, but many feel
the event.that the government is reluctant to see the national
An advantage of holding the show in the second halfcarrier Air Malta face potentially subsidised
of September is that the Malta weather can almostcompetiton. But by doing nothing the island faces the
be assured to be good, with the all important cleardanger of the whole tourist industry suffering.
skies allowing viewing of the participating planes. Malta'Malta can be a high quality destination with low cost
Transportfares', comment the travel guide. 'We already have
The air show is seen by many in the Malta holidaysgood accommodation like the Malta Hilton, so
industry as evidence that Malta can produce eventspotentially we can do it'.
which will not only prove an attraction to thoseMalta is hoping that the air show is a step in the right
tourists already on the island, but also as part of adirection.