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While Malta’s Universal Air initially operated charter flights using aging Dash 8-100s, it launched scheduled flying – an immensely difficult proposition – on March 26 with the Dash 8-Q400. That day, it operated from Malta to the Hungarian city of Pécs, with its short runway, followed by a separate, standalone service between Pécs and Munich. I caught up with Universal Air’s CEO, Simon Cook, to learn more about the airline’s plans.
Photo: Universal Air
What made you decide to enter the scheduled market?
“Our decision to enter the scheduled market was driven by a clear demand for a quality service that bridges the gap between cost-effectiveness and mainstream carriers.
“Our market analysis indicated that customers seek more personalized and engaging travel experiences at lower costs than the national carriers [despite using Q400s with higher seat-mile costs]. This aligns perfectly with Universal Air’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. The scheduled market allows us to offer consistent, quality services that our passengers can rely on while building our niche in this market.”
3h 45m: The World’s New Very Long Dash 8 Q400 Service This Summer
Do you fancy being on it? It arrives at 01:30!
Universal has Dash 8-100s, which no doubt partly contributed to obtaining Q400s. What other factors made you choose the prop?
“While our existing fleet of -100s did indeed set a foundation for acquiring Q400s, our choice was primarily influenced by their operational efficiency and suitability for regional routes.”
“The Q400 is fuel-efficient [for the speed]. It offers the right balance of speed and capacity for our targeted routes, which enhances our ability to provide a quality customer experience within the constraints of regional travel.
“We have already started the future fleet planning; we expect to begin the introduction of our next fleet within five years. We hope to use the experience we gained both in aircraft types and the load factors of our routes to better decide what fleet we should move to next. For now, props meet our current strategy and our five-year plan.”
You have two Q400s for now. How many more do you anticipate having in the future?
“Yes, we currently have two Q400s. We anticipate adding
at least three more aircraft
to our fleet in the next six months. We can purchase more in 2024/2025, but we will see the market and the commercial requirements before the next expansion.”
Photo: Universal Air
Do you work with tour operators for your Malta routes?
“Yes, we work closely with tour operators for our Malta routes and with GSAs [general sales agents] across the network. These partnerships are pivotal in creating tailored travel packages that cater to the interests and preferences of travelers, enhancing their overall experience and supporting our strategy of personalized engagement and loyalty.”
Photo: Universal Air
“We see our GSAs and wider travel partners as extensions of the airline. We listen to their advice and what their customers (who are our passengers) are saying. This helps us to improve our routes and service.”
Some of your routes compete directly with other carriers, including KM Malta Airlines and Ryanair. How will you compete effectively against the A320 and 737, which have a much lower cost per available seat kilometer?
“Our strategy, for the next year at least, is to focus mainly on routes not already serviced by other carriers. There will be routes that have other carriers on. We intend to try to fly at different times, ensuring we can offer customers a choice.”
Photo: Universal Air
“We are also a flexible company, allowing us to pivot onto new routes quickly. This is our first season of scheduled activities; we expect some learning points for our initial route planning.”
I believe you have 12 scheduled routes planned for summer 2024, some of which don’t touch Malta (Pécs-Munich and Corfu; Prague-Cagliari). Do you anticipate more non-Malta routes in the future?
“Indeed, for this summer, we have planned 12 scheduled routes, including several that do not involve Malta. We anticipate
further expanding our network to include more non-Malta routes.”
Image: GCMap
“This expansion is aligned with our strategy to diversify our route portfolio and enhance accessibility for our customers, thereby supporting their personal growth and travel aspirations.”
Universal Air faces an uphill battle. What do you make of it all? Let us know in the comment section.
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