Air Malta hits out at Ryanair, defends fuel surcharge
Air Malta yesterday lashed out against criticism levelled at it by Ryanair for raising its fuel surcharge.
The global rise in aviation fuel prices, which in fact exceeds the increase of crude oil, is affecting all airlines independent of their size, the national airline said.
"Air Malta's increase in the surcharge will hardly cover 15 per cent of the increase in annual fuel costs expected for this year. The airline has made it clear that it is committed to meet the gap through further cost reductions and efficiencies."
At a press conference last week, Ryanair's Chief Operating Officer, Michael Cawley guaranteed that Ryanair will not slap a fuel surcharge on its customers while noting that Air Malta had raised its surcharge.
Air Malta chairman Lawrence Zammit pointed out that over a five-year period the prices of aviation fuel have shot up by over 400 per cent from $30 to $165 per barrel.
In a reference to Ryanair, he said it was, however, not Air Malta's policy "to go around knocking on the doors of airport authorities cap-in-hand threatening to pull out flight services if the airport does not give the airline any subsidies, or increase their subsidies to make up for the price of fuel".
Mr Zammit added: "Our average flight prices are way below the figure quoted by the Irish airline. I will be kind, however, and assume that the statement made by Mr Cawley is more of a sick joke rather than anything else. Over these last years we have worked very hard with the support of all our stakeholders to reduce our costs and offer our clients a low-fare high-quality service.
"Our strategy is to offer the best consistent services, frequencies and connections to and from Malta. Air Malta has proved time and again that it is an airline really committed to the Maltese market and its tourism industry by bringing over to Malta millions of tourists from a host of destinations. Other airlines have come and gone. More will do the same. Air Malta will remain committed to the Maltese community and its tourism industry for the years to come."
The airline said its commitment to Maltese society includes continual support to persons needing to go abroad for medical treatment and their families, support to organisers of cultural events, support to Maltese artists, support to the environment and support to Maltese sports organisations amongst others.
"It is this social commitment to the Maltese community that distinguishes Air Malta from other airlines operating to Malta. Thirty five years on, that social commitment is as strong as ever."
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Victor G.Mercieca
Jul 5th 2008, 17:54
AirMalta unfortunately has been always mismanaged for some reason by the politically appointed Chairmen with some agenda of their very own!Re fuel surcharge using the market situation as excuses to increase cost of travel plus the abusive passenger tax still in place, however more important this administration has failed to liberize Aviation fuels & others which are huge burden with heavy excise duty being collected.....I believe AirMalta is exempted from paying any tax on Jet a fuel......as for Avgas type fuel as from 1st July 2008 the price is a staggering $13.25 + Excise duty + VAT per US Gal (Taxed on tax too) WHY MONOPLY ON ALL FUEL SUPPLIES INCIDENTLY AGAINST EU REGULATIONS!
Joseph Calleja
Jul 5th 2008, 17:00
Air Malta started out to be a good airline but now they are a bit to careless to take good care of their passengers. Their competition out of Heathrow to Malta is nil and when you are in that position you can dictate anything you want. Air Malta is a business and they are out to make money like everybody else.
Joe Tabone-Adami
Jul 5th 2008, 15:44
"Che sara', sara' " as the old song goes. 'The future's not ours to see'. Who knows which will come first:- Air Malta distributing dark chocolate and champagne to relieve its passengers of flight stress, or Ryanair in its turn imposing a fuel surcharge? It pays to be realistic.
vincent a galea
Jul 5th 2008, 14:49
It is such a pity that Maltese Nationals prefer to denigrate our National Airline, in preference to an airline that might even consider a surcharge if one were to sneeze traveling on one of its flights!
AIR MALTA is a NATIONAL INSTITUTION giving a great service to the Island and its tourism industry!
mark lavelle
Jul 5th 2008, 13:03
""Our strategy is to offer the best consistent services, frequencies and connections to and from Malta.
Please have a look at your service to and from Manchester, especially the Thursday evening departures. I will agree though that your delays are indeed consistent!
Steve Said
Jul 5th 2008, 11:16
Mr Zammit says, quote "Our average flight prices are way below the figure quoted by the Irish airline"
Come on man, wake up. Find me a cheaper flight to the UK (including fuel surcharge) and i'll happily start using Airmalta again.
Stephen Gatt
Jul 5th 2008, 10:26
"offer our clients a low-fare high-quality service"
Is Mr Zammit referring to the scores of well connected people and politicians who get free tickets and are upgraded to first class? I always pay more than 300 Euros with Air Malta and they have stopped offering a free glass of wine with meals. It is more like high-fare low-quality service.
"not Air Malta's policy "to go around knocking on the doors of airport authorities "
But it is Air Malta's policy to go knocking on the doors of its customers and make them pay dearly when they have no choice.