Universal Air is focusing on non-mainstream routes, says CEO Simon Cook (foreground).
Malta-based Universal Air is expanding its operations with a focus on niche markets across Europe and North Africa, as well as exploring opportunities to establish bases elsewhere.
The carrier was acquired in late 2021 by Andrew Walker, a shareholder with a portfolio that includes Australian space company Equatorial Launch Australia. Since then, the airline has evolved from primarily humanitarian missions and charter flights with De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100s to a more diversified operation that includes scheduled routes and charter services using Dash 8-400s.
“We’re positioning ourselves between the low-cost and full-service models, filling a gap in the market,” CEO Simon Cook tells Aviation Week. “Our strategy focuses on routes that aren’t mainstream, like our first route into Pécs, Hungary, where larger carriers can’t operate due to the shorter runway. We’re targeting regions with limited connectivity to create a unique offering.”
Universal Air recently launched a route to the newly opened Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport in southern Italy, adding to a network from Malta International Airport that includes flights to Corfu, Greece; Ibiza, Spain; Munich; Nice, France; Pécs; Palermo, Italy; and Tripoli, Libya.
Cook says the airline is targeting both business and leisure destinations, with routes like Munich and Tripoli being popular among business commuters—while others, like Corfu and Ibiza, attract holiday-makers.
It is also aiming to avoid competing on routes with Ryanair—which accounts for about 46% of the seat capacity from Malta at present, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data—but goes head-to-head with Lufthansa and KM Malta Airlines to Munich and easyJet to Nice.
“During the winter months, we’ll see a shift in routes, focusing more on winter tourism like skiing and short breaks,” Cook adds, saying the airline’s smaller size enables it to be nimble and react quickly to opportunities in the market. “Come next summer, we're expecting to see a lot more routes than we’ve got this summer and continue to grow as we get more aircraft in.”
He says that Universal Air is also exploring partnerships and codesharing agreements to enhance connectivity for passengers, especially on routes that link smaller, underserved airports to major hubs like Munich.
Additionally, Cook indicates that the airline is evaluating opening bases elsewhere in Europe. “Malta is a relatively small island, so we need to look at other options,” he says. “If we can find the business case that justifies it, then we have the ability to continue purchasing the aircraft and open up bases around Europe.”
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