Air Malta aiming for sustainability

I refer to the article titled From Complimentary To Free by Austin Sammut (September 23).

In a span of a few years the airline business has seen drastic changes fuelled by increasing (fuel) costs and depressed yields, changing airline operating models, technological and web enhancements, changing passenger requirements and booking trends, and increased competition, among others.

Many airlines are striving to remain competitive in these turbulent times and have adopted fuel surcharges, implemented various cost-cutting measures, streamlined their service levels, reorganised their operations, reduced flight prices and introduced measures to increase their revenues in order to survive this turmoil. Air Malta is not immune to these changes and the company-wide continuous reorganisation process is aimed at making Air Malta sustainable in the long term.

The changes in service levels, including the charge introduced for alcoholic drinks on scheduled services pointed out by Dr Sammut, is aimed at reducing costs while still offering the service to those passengers wishing to buy these drinks.

Air Malta is a commercial enterprise that is fully conscious of its social responsibility. The changes it is implementing have to be viewed in the light of the current airline business models and trends. These changes have not been implemented out of greed for more profits but merely to enable us in our efforts to continue offering vital services to Maltese society, the tourism sector, the business community, and yes, even persons who require to undergo medical treatment abroad (especially stretcher cases, which no other airline accepts), the organisers of cultural events and athletes representing our country.

We thank Dr Sammut for putting pen to paper and assure him that the airline has taken note of his comments on operational issues and will be reviewing them as necessary.