Universal Air CEO and Accountable Manager Simon Cook has informed staff that he will be stepping down from his position, following the company’s decision to cease all scheduled passenger flights at the end of this month.

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According to an internal email sent to employees on Saturday, Cook said he will continue to serve in his role until a new Accountable Manager is appointed and formally approved by Transport Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate.

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The news was first reported by aviation-focused Facebook page Malta Aviation Outlook and follows the airline’s announcement that it will discontinue all scheduled flight operations from 31 May 2025. The last flights are set to take place a day earlier, on 30 May.

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Describing the move as a “difficult decision made after careful consideration,” Universal Air cited no specific reasons for the shutdown. The airline only launched its Malta-based operations in March 2024, meaning it is winding down its scheduled service just over a year after its debut.

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Despite the cessation of passenger flights, Universal Air has said it will continue operating its Charter and ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) services.

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The company has not issued a formal statement on Cook’s departure.

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