A group of around 100 Maltese holidaymakers in Moscow due back last Friday afternoon was now scheduled to arrive this morning because of a technical fault on the plane.

Air Malta sources said yesterday that the group, which was due to return on flight KM 567, boarded the plane but as soon as it was ready to leave, the captain realised there was a technical fault.

The passengers were taken to a hotel while the aircraft was sent for the required tests. It was rescheduled to leave Moscow yesterday morning but the captain was unsatisfied with the work done and the passengers returned to their hotel.

The plane was rechecked and was certified safe to fly but would need to stop at Sofia for refuelling.

However, putting passenger safety first, Air Malta chose to send over a relief aircraft with crew. The aircraft left Malta for Moscow at 2.30 p.m. In the meantime the other Air Malta aircraft left Moscow with just the crew. It will now be reserviced by Air Malta technicians.

The passengers were due to arrive in Malta at around 1 a.m.

Air Malta apologised for the inconvenience caused and said it had done its utmost to keep this to a minimum.

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