Handling baggage

We refer to the letter by Anna Mallia entitled Theft From Luggage (March 21).

Air Malta fails to see a connection between the concerns expressed by Christopher Holmes after some of his personal articles were stolen while travelling with Britishjet and Dr Mallia's "personal note" about travelling on Air Malta - a different carrier having a different baggage handling operator.

While we are sorry to note the inconvenience Dr Mallia may have faced, it is pertinent to point out that she was in breach of the Conditions of Carriage which state that valuable items are not to be included as checked-in baggage and that the airline is not liable in such cases.

In issuing these conditions Air Malta and other airlines are guided by terms and conditions of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which are respected worldwide. Extracts of the conditions of carriage are printed on each ticket while the full version of the conditions of carriage can be accessed from the airline's website www.airmalta.com.

Air Malta and its ground handling department, which not only offers baggage services to the airline but also to other airlines operating from Malta International Airport, makes every effort to ensure the safe and secure transportation of baggage. According to the Association of European Airlines' (AEA) Consumer Report for 2005 issued recently, Air Malta achieved the best record for not losing luggage (www.aea.be). The survey covered the European association's 25 airline members.

Unlike other airlines, Air Malta engages police officers to supervise the handling of its luggage at its own expense. On its part, Malta International Airport has also installed a sophisticated surveillance system which is also monitored by its security personnel on a 24-hour basis. Mr Holme's issue is with Britishjet and it is with regret that Air Malta notes that it has been roped into a case in which it is not involved at all.