Pluto Airlines, Sharjah's first private airline, has entered into a joint venture with Hornbill Skyways of Sarawak State in Malaysia to operate charter flights between Europe and Malaysia, a report said.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed opens new avenues between Sarawak and Sharjah to promote tourism and trade.

The agreement was signed by Mohammed Ramo, commercial manager of Pluto Airlines, and Aidan Wing, general manager of Hornbill Skyways.

Shaikha Sayed bint Saqr Al Qasimi, managing director of the airline said the airline would operate scheduled charter flights, one each from Amsterdam, Barcelona and Berlin to Malaysia.

She said the joint venture would facilitate the airline in its operations within Malaysia, which should begin in January.

She said that some European flights to Malaysia would also be operated via Sharjah providing two-night stopovers.

She said the airline would also start four weekly, chartered flights from Sharjah to Khartoum following an agreement with the authorities in Sudan. In addition, it would launch its operations in the GCC countries, excepting Saudi Arabia.

She said the airline also had landing rights in Egypt, Beirut, Malaysia, Colombo and Iran.

The airline hopes to get an MD-11 in the near future.