United Pakistan – State of Malta (1966–1974) relations

United Pakistan—Maltese State relations

Maltese State	PAKISTAN   (Occupied Kashmir)

Both countries established diplomatic relations on the 4th of January in 1966.

Aviation history

An Air Malta Boeing 720B with Pakistani registration AP-AMJ, leased from Pakistan International Airlines in the 1970s

Malta's national airlines, Air Malta, was established in the 1970s with the help and expertise of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). At that time, the government of Malta had made several attempts to establish a national flag carrier with the possible assistance of an established foreign airline.

Accordingly, PIA emerged with the most favourable contract conditions and upon commencement, offered to invest 20% in shares. PIA provided a management team which would run the airline from its inception. The early generation of Air Malta pilots, as well as flight and ground engineers, owe their training and initial knowledge to PIA. The first batches of novices were dispatched to Pakistan where they undertook extensive training. Two Boeing 720s were also leased from PIA for a five-year period. In 1973, PIA assigned a general manager and four senior managers to Air Malta who would be responsible for the airline's marketing, financing, flight and ground operations.

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