Air Malta refutes Sant's claims over role in general election

Air Malta yesterday strongly rebutted allegations by Opposition Leader Alfred Sant on the airline's role in the general election.

The airline strongly denied the allegations that the employees selected to assist the airline's election unit office - which was set up at the airline's head office - were in any way, form or manner connected to any political party.

Dr Sant made the comments during his reply to the President's address in Parliament on Monday.

"The airline strongly regrets that Dr Sant made specific mention of staff members, who were only doing their job, did not in any way abuse of their position or act incorrectly, and were assisting eligible Maltese voters in exercising their Constitutional rights.

"The Air Malta manager selected to head this unit was chosen in view of his extensive experience and professionalism in running similar setups during the general elections of 1992, 1996, 1998 and 2003 (election and referendum)," the airline said.

It also strongly refuted the allegations that any political party's electoral office had privileged access to the airline's election unit.

The election unit was set up by the airline's management following directives received from the government.

The Air Malta unit's role was to check that the booking requests received by reservations came from eligible voters whose names appeared on the last Electoral Register, including those married to foreigners, studying, working or undergoing medical treatment abroad.

All queries during the process were cleared with the Electoral Commission.

The airline's election unit was thus not in charge of the reservations and booking processes but only assisted this process by providing alternative dates or routes when the flights were completely full, the airline said.