Key Points
- Universal Air launches new commercial line between Nice and Valletta.
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport strengthens its international connections.
- The opening of this line highlights Universal Air’s development strategy.
First commercial connection between Nice and Malta for Universal Air.
This Monday, June 3, marks an important step for Universal Air, which landed for the first time at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport with a flight from Valletta (Malta). This initiative strengthens the connectivity between Nice and the capital of Malta, highlighting the airline’s strategy to expand its commercial operations.
A New Era for Universal Air
Historically known for its air freight and charter flights, Universal Air has decided to make Nice Côte d’Azur one of the first destinations in its commercial development. With a 78-seat Dash-8 aircraft, the company aims to meet the growing demand on this route, which has shown strong potential since its launch last year.
We would like to thank Universal Air for its trust and for this new route to Valletta. We are honoured to be among the very first destinations operated by the airline and hope that this seasonal service will herald the development of a partnership over time”, explains Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur.
Simon Cook, the CEO of Universal Air said, “Opening new routes is not just about adding destinations; it’s about connecting cultures, facilitating business opportunities, and fostering relationships that transcend borders. For us, this requires meticulous planning, including ensuring the highest safety standards, optimising the use of our fleet and improving the customer experience. We are excited about the potential of these new routes for leisure and business travellers, the tourism industry, and the broader economic impact for each destination”.
The arrival of Universal Air at Nice Côte d’Azur marks the beginning of a new phase of international connectivity for the airport and growth for the airline. This connection with Valletta strengthens the ties between the French Riviera and Malta, promising increased economic and cultural opportunities.
Nice Côte d’Azur Air Connectivity
- Twin Jet new routes Nice–Olbia and Nice–Menorca summer 2026
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport Terminal 2 extension: 23,000 sq m and capacity increased to 18 million passengers
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport summer 2026: a record network of 130 destinations
- Cork–Nice: Direct Aer Lingus service from May 2026
- €2.8 billion in economic impact in 2024 for Nice Côte d’Azur and Cannes-Mandelieu Airports
- The Côte d’Azur is emerging as a testing ground for decarbonised air mobility
- United Airlines reactivates the Nice–Washington route in summer 2026
- Nice Côte d’Azur: Second Place in Quality of Life Among Major French Metropolises in the 2025 Arthur Loyd Barometer
