Pilots' shortage blamed on poor work conditions at Air Malta

Pilots have rebutted Air Malta's claims that it has enough staff to fly its aircraft, saying there are days when there are no standby pilots.

The Airline Pilots Association ordered an indefinite dress-down as of last Thursday in protest against the shortage of pilots and bad working conditions its members were facing.

In a counter-statement, the airline had rebutted the claims of a severe pilot shortage, saying that while a number of pilots had left the airline, it had an ongoing recruitment plan, adding that Air Malta's pilots average block hours have risen in recent years.

However, the association yesterday hit back, saying that while in a simple pilots-per-aircraft calculation Air Malta may appear to fare well, these do not necessarily compare with other airlines, since their crew are not likely to have to operate an aircraft from their home airport as well as another two bases simultaneously.

"If there are so many pilots available, why are there days on which there are no standby pilots? Why have flights been combined or delayed when no pilots where available? Is this how the comparable airlines quoted by Air Malta operate?" the association asked. "Moreover, why have pilots not been given all their annual vacation leave for two years in a row - an actual legal requirement?" it added.

The association also insisted that due to lost increments and an average pay cut of Lm1,000 per year Maltese pilots at Air Malta have each lost between Lm5,000 and Lm7,000 over the three-year Rescue Plan.

The airline denied this. However, the association charged back, saying that by refuting their statement, the airline was showing it does not appreciate or has no idea of the sacrifice its pilots have made over the last three years. "This, coupled with the way Air Malta is treating pilots, has enticed no fewer then 38 of the airline's pilots to resign over the last three years, with the last two pilots leaving a month ago. Working with another airline usually means you get at least double the salary you would be earning at Air Malta and have a more stable roster then that provided by Air Malta," the association said.