Airport services

I read the article (September 25) in which the new chairman of Malta International Airport describes the workforce as "a well-managed company, equipped with state-of-the art technology and which prides itself of a workforce that delivers".

Was the new chairman including the luggage porters who reported sick on Tuesday, August 26 as the "workforce that delivers", who kept arriving passengers waiting for up to three hours for their luggage?

Does the new chairman understand the embarrassment that such incidents cause to anyone waiting for these arrivals, especially the tour operators representatives who are left to face the wrath of incoming tourists and, in turn, give an initial bad impression of our islands and the service we offer?

May one suggest that in addition to state-of-the-art technology, and the newly introduced 25c call charge for flight information details, we also introduce some basic technology, like turning on the air conditioning system to cool the arrivals hall when it is crowded and switch on all the ceiling lights at least when the airport is crowded, so as not to give MIA a stingy look?

Can the chairman also ensure that there is a sufficient quantity of luggage trolleys to avoid the trolley panic that exists in this airport on busy days, especially Tuesdays?

Finally, can the new chairman ensure that incidents like the one that occurred on August 26 are not repeated, by having contingency plans for such an eventuality, and if the need arises, lead by example and roll up his sleeves? Or have we already inherited some of the Maltese style of monopolistic company chairmen, press photographs at every opportunity, complemented by an ever decreasing standard of basic service?