Air Malta coach collides with empty plane on runway

An Air Malta passenger coach hit an aircraft on the airport apron early yesterday morning, the second such incident in a few weeks.

The coach, which was empty, hit a wing of a Germania Air Fokker 100 at around 2 a.m. The aircraft had been chartered by Frosch Turistik and was about to return to Berlin.

It was immediately grounded. Passengers were taken back to their hotel until new arrangements could be made for their flight back.

No one was injured, but informed sources said damage amounts to hundreds of thousands of liri in repairs and lost earnings.

A magisterial inquiry was launched. A spokesman for MIA, which issues licences for driving on the airport apron, said the company was closely following proceedings.

It is understood that Air Malta is holding an inquiry into the incident.

Last month an Air Malta aircraft had its fuselage dented when it was hit by ground stairs - an incident which was not even reported by whoever was responsible. The damage was noticed by the aircraft's captain shortly before takeoff and an inquiry was launched.