Editing Air Malta (section)

===Closure and replacement===
[[File:Air Malta, 9H-NEC, Airbus A320-251N (49585974967).jpg|thumb|A former Air Malta [[Airbus A320neo]], which subsequently has been taken over by its successor, [[KM Malta Airlines]].]]
In August 2022, the Maltese government announced it would dissolve Air Malta should the European Union deny further financial state aid to the airline. It would then relocate its assets to a succeeding carrier.<ref>[https://www.aerotelegraph.com/air-malta-droht-die-aufloesung aerotelegraph.com] (German) 19 August 2022</ref> Shortly after, the decision regarding the airline's future had been delayed to the end of 2022; however, the route network and frequencies saw extensive cuts by October 2022, including the termination of several destinations.<ref>[https://aviation.direct/air-malta-kuerzt-winterflugplan-2022-23-stark aviation.direct] (German) 26 September 2022</ref>

On 18 April 2023, Chairman David Curmi announced that the [[European Commission]] declined to give permission to the Maltese government to inject 290 million euros of state aid into the airline.<ref>[https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/122400/air_malta_chief_confirms_airline_will_be_replaced_by_end_of_year#.ZD7UG_xBzGI maltatoday.com.mt] (English) 18 April 2023</ref> In 2023, Air Malta incorporated its aircraft with a new livery with red and dark red on the back of the plane. This livery would be subsequently used by the new airline. Also, a competitive process was to be launched for the new airline to acquire the tender for the Air Malta branding which is owned by a government owned company, IP Holdings, which was set up by former minister [[Konrad Mizzi]] to transfer assets to show that the company earned a profit in 2018.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

On 2 October 2023, the Maltese government announced the closure of Air Malta for 30 March 2024, replaced by [[KM Malta Airlines]] the following day.<ref name=businesstraveller.com/>