KM Malta Airlines’ Newest Route Ruffles Feathers: Direct Flights to Istanbul Turn Into Wild Goose Chase!

The Grand Departure from Luqa Airport

It was a sunny day in Luqa, not a cloud in the sky to foreshadow the confusion that was about to unfold at Malta International Airport. The bustling terminal was abuzz with the news that KM Malta Airlines had launched a direct flight to Istanbul. This unprecedented move was supposed to cement Malta’s status as a hub between East and West, a crossroad of cultures, pastizzi, and the occasional lost tourist looking for Mdina but ending up in Mqabba.

Characters Boarding at Gate Uwejja

Among the throng of passengers waiting eagerly at gate Uwejja, two peculiar characters stood out: Carmelu, a retired postman with a penchant for ħobż biż-żejt sandwiches (which he had sneakily packed for the journey), and Angelina, a tech-savvy nanna who had her heart set on shopping at Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar while live-streaming the entire escapade to her growing fanbase on TikTok.

The Plot Thickens at 30,000 Feet

As flight KM007 took off, Carmelu settled into his seat, dreaming of a silent city with more cats than people. Angelina, on the other hand, was documenting everything from the safety instruction card to the “delightfully cramped” legroom situation. It became apparent that neither of them had much of a clue about Istanbul, apart from recognizing the city’s name from a hit song in Eurovision 1975.

“Uwejja, I thought Istanbul was just a song,” Carmelu whispered to Angelina as they flew over Gozo, which, mind you, he claimed looked no different from the aerial view.

Angelina nodded sagely, her eyes never leaving her phone screen, “‘Istanbul’ and ‘Constantinople’, it’s all Greek to us, dear!” she quipped, referring to the ancient name and the change that left many a historian in a tizzy.

The Unforeseen Twist: A Flight to Constantinople?

Midway through the journey, the surprised passengers were informed of a slight detour. Due to a hilarious mix-up by the new airline intern, who thought Istanbul sounded “a bit passé”, the flight was now headed to Constantinople.

Confusion and laughter ensued as passengers Googled whether Constantinople had reemerged on modern maps. The captain, immersed in a game of Boċċi on his tablet, had to clarify with an intercom announcement:

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are, in fact, still going to Istanbul – not Constantinople. That’s nobody’s business but the Turks, as the song goes. Mela, sit back, relax, and let’s make history… by not repeating it.”

The cabin erupted in an amalgamation of clapping, laughing, and the collective whispers of “Kollox sew, kollox sew” (all is well).

Landing with a Story to Tell

As KM007 finally touched down in Istanbul, the passengers alighted with a story for the ages. Though they had not traveled through time to a city of ancient empires, they had witnessed the birth of an airline legend. All Angelina could muster was a hearty “Uwejja, that was something!” as her live stream hit a record number of views, now with the title: “Nanna Takes Off to Istanbul, Lands in Viral Video Fame.”

Carmelu shook his head, a wry smile on his face, as he shared his own takeaway with anyone who’d listen: “Next time, I’m taking the ferry to Sicily. At least there, the only surprise I’m getting is the occasional ‘Arancina vs. Arancino’ debate.”

A Final Word from KM Malta Airlines

To smooth over ruffled feathers, KM Malta Airlines offered passengers a complimentary pastizz upon arrival, reassuring everyone that their sojourn in Istanbul would be, thankfully, less eventful than the flight. And as for the intern responsible? Promoted, of course – because in Malta, a good story trumps a little mishap any day!

Stay tuned to Times of Mela for more updates on the quirky misadventures of our beloved islands. From unexpected flight plans to intriguing rabbit stews with secret ingredients, mela, you won’t want to miss a beat!