HUNDREDS of extra seats are being provided to fly Scots to a popular Meditteranean island after direct flights between Glasgow and Malta were re-introduced last summer following a five-year break.

Air Malta hopes to jet more than 650 extra holidaymakers to the former British Colony by bringing forward its summer holiday schedule by four weeks.

Instead of the first flight taking off this year from Glasgow in May as originally scheduled, airline chiefs have decided to cash in on the Easter holiday period by flying passengers out earlier on Tuesday, April 8.

The four new flights - one a week throughout April - will see Air Malta providing enough seats to fly more than 650 extra passengers to one of the world's smallest and most densely populated islands which is located 50 miles south of Sicily.

Air Malta's chief commercial officer Philip Saunders said the decision was taken to meet demand from those who wanted to holiday in Malta outwith the normal peak summer period.

He added: "The Maltese climate during the spring is ideal for Scottish holidaymakers looking to explore the island and everything it has to offer."

There will be 30 flights this year between Apil-October and the extra seating is welcomed by Francois Bourienne. He's commercial director at Glasgow Airport and said: "Scots can book flights through the airline, or choose from a range of packages available through tour operators and travel agents."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk