Bird strike, crew delay flight

Air Malta flight KM 785 from Sofia which was expected to land at Malta International Airport at 8.10 a.m. yesterday suffered a bird strike on arriving in Sofia and the aircraft had to be inspected.

Although, the aircraft was certified as being fully operational, the cabin crew argued they had exceeded flight time regulations, leaving 123 passengers stranded in Sofia. Air Malta refuted the cabin crew's claim.

Air Malta said this action was highly inappropriate given that the company and the Union of Cabin Crew are engaged in arbitration procedures on this issue and undertakings had been given that operations would not be prejudiced in the meantime.