Air Malta was honoured to fly Pope Francis back to Rome yesterday afternoon after a two – day pastoral visit to the Maltese Islands
The aircraft chosen for the flight , with registration 9H – NED , is the latest Airbus A320neo aircraft in the airline ’s fleet. The aircraft was specially configured for the occasion with three cabins: the Papal Suite at the a middle cabin for the Church Prelates and the other dignitaries accompanying the Pope, and a rear cabin for media representatives covering th e Pope’s visit.
Air Malta Executive Chairman David G Curmi was on the special flight accompanying the Pope back to Rome.
The flight has been designated as KM 4282 and w as operated by Captain Peter Mifsud, Captain Frank Xerri and Captain Karen Sant. The Inflight Cabin Manager Louiselle Cauchi oversaw the cabins assisted by Evan Cutajar, Michelle Gatt, Mary Mifsud, Yanika Debono, Glorianne Mifsud and Yvette Mercieca.
KM 4282 was chosen in view of the reference in the Bible’s ‘A cts of the Apostles’ , chapter 28 verse 2, o f Malta and the extraordinary hospitality shown by the Maltese after St Paul was shipwrecked on the Islands in AD60.
This is the fourth time Air Malta has been honoured with the privilege of flying a Pope to Rome. Pope John Paul II travelled twice on the a irline on the 27 May 1990 and again o n the 9 May 2001. Pope Benedict XVI also flew on Air Malta on the 18 April 2010 after a two – day pas toral visit to the I slands.
