Air Malta set to join Star Alliance?

In other posts I've noted the fact that, given how you can earn/redeem Flypass KMiles, Air Malta is now effectively an unofficial member of the Lufthansa etc Miles & More clique.

I think it's pretty certain that Air Malta will become a fully integrated member in the not-too-distant future.

However, having spoken to some fairly well placed people at the airline, I also believe that Air Malta will become a full member of the Star Alliance network too. The only issue holding them back, it appears, is with the restructuring/cashflow issues at the airline, they have a million different priorities (they've had to jump through the various hoops, including unlawful "State Aid" competition issues surrounding the injection of cash into the airline by the Maltese government).

So, while reforming Flypass, integrating into Miles & More and joining Star Alliance are all firmly on the agenda, they join this multitude of other matters on the "to do" list. Nevertheless, it does appear to be a case of "when rather than if".

Certainly I expect formalisation of the Miles & More relationship relatively soon (although "relatively soon" by Air Malta standards could easily be 18 months).

Needless to say I'll continue to lobby my end for improvements to Flypass. It is worth noting, however, that the informal tie up with Miles & More means Flypass members who use their KMiles cleverly get most of the benefits of the scheme.