Stephen Gauci, section head, public relations, Air Malta plc, Luqa
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.
3 Comments
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M.Bezzina
Oct 2nd 2008, 18:12
Dear stephen
Aiming for sustainability when AirMalta prices are higher than those of Ryanair?Its a pity that we only have AirMalta operating to Heathrow for eg.Although I must admit that prices have reduced but they are still higher.For eg a friend of mine who works for airmalta once told me that the plane left to destination with only 50 passengers on board.When I told him why AirMalta does not offer cheaper prices(at the last minute or 2wks before) at least if you get 20 passengers extra at the last minute it would be better for the company because the flight still have to be operated his answer was that it was not worth it for AirMalta to reduce the price because if anything with 50passengers onboard the cost of the flight would have been covered anyway!!
So if AirMalta does not care for the maltese travellers I dont bother if one day the company closes its doors like SeaMalta !!
Joseph Calleja
Oct 2nd 2008, 17:04
I really don't think that Air Malta has to defend itself when charging for alcoholic beverages on their flights because most all other airlines do, including major carriers. The food is as I mentioned before no better or worse than any other carrier same thing with the service although I never ran into any problems... I have been flying Air Malta for the last 30 years and I only had one complaint and it was not due to food, free alcoholic beverages or anything like that, when I wrote to customer care and explained the situation they took care of business like I expected them to. Air Malta like any other corporations have individuals working for them and they sometimes make bad decisions but I think overall, Air Malta does an excellent job and No, they are not perfect but I don't think Mr Sammut has a ligit complaint when it comes to free alcoholic beverages. When you go to have dinner at a restaurant I don't think any of them offer you complimentary drinks, as a matter of fact they even charge you when you ask for water? And No I don't work for Air Malta.
Hamish Dempster
Oct 2nd 2008, 09:18
It is very kind for Airmalta To give us an explanation to its sustainability about offerring alcoholic drink at a charge . However, I would go one further and abolish spirts altogether. After all they have made planes NON SMOKING ZONES as the are a health hazard to fellow passengers apart from fire risk. Alcohol is also a risk. it can make one go tipsy turvy who can cause alot of problems for the passengers and crew and can at one point even cause disasters. So prevention is better then cure. After all one does not have to drink spirit to be sociable and I am sure one can wait for a few hours without his manna. Keep it up Airmalta
do your home work properly and think of our safety.