Pilots suspend industrial action

Air Malta and the Airline Pilots' Association have struck a temporary agreement over an online roster system, much to the relief of travellers whose flights have been delayed for half an hour for the past two weeks.

The union said a conciliation meeting was held between the two sides yesterday morning with the mediation of the director of industrial employment relations, Noel Vella.

It said it was hopeful this will lead to a permanent solution.

The union immediately suspended its industrial action, which delayed flights by 30 minutes, and apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused.

On Friday, Air Malta asked the Industrial Tribunal to urgently hear a case it filed against the union after several meetings between the parties failed to resolve the dispute.

The airline had called on the union to stop its actions and embrace change in the interest of Air Malta, its customers, tourism stakeholders and all the other airline employees.

Air Malta told the tribunal the union's actions were disproportionately severe and were negatively affecting its operations while causing unnecessary substantial costs. The airline also filed a judicial protest holding the union responsible for damages.