Mario Agius, St Julians
New budget airline proves costly
With much pomp and adverts we were presented, a few months ago, with a new low-cost airline - eFly - with daily flights to Catania.
After having bought my ticket for a December flight, booked my hotel and purchased my insurance cover, I have just received a notice that my flights (outgoing and incoming) have been cancelled. I must admit that a promise of refund of the ticket has been included in the e-mail that I received.
Of course, no mention of refund for any other expenses incurred has been made and, to date, not even the refund of the ticket has been carried out.
What's more, the flight by eFly was to cost me €159 (two adults) and since I need to travel in that specific period I tried to find an Air Malta slot, which I did find, at the price of €134 (always including taxes).
So much for eFly's low cost flights. Publicity for the way they were going to fleece customers perhaps.
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Rose Agius
Oct 28th 2009, 04:34
Whoever got his flight cancelled send a report to the Malta Civil Aviation Dept. I have done so..try booking another flight with them for December and you will be accepted but not at he price first quoted but a much higher one. They cannot just cancel a ticket already paid for and sell it again at a a higher price
Rose Agius
Oct 28th 2009, 04:25
I too received an emasil from Efly informing me that our flight (3 tickets) were cancelled and that I would be refunded. So far after a week no money has been refunded. I have fiund alternative flight with Air Malta which has proved to be a little cheaper but we have to stay an extra night so that our 2 day break has now become 3 days which I am really very happy about as it will be more of a break. The only hitch is that we are forking our more money in that we need an extra night and I am not yet sure if the hotel we booked at can accommodate us for another night plus the fact that I shall have an unpaid day leave as I do not have any more days left for leave after booking for the Christmas period. So really I shall be forking out more moeny thanks to Efly.
T Magro
Oct 27th 2009, 21:41
Yes food is of a very low standard ...I advise everyone flying on Air Malta to have some food in hand!
Anthony F. Seychell
Oct 27th 2009, 21:36
A relatie of mie had a similar experience. Furthrmore we got to know that the isurance does not cover such cancellations. There is a charter (convention) of passenger rghts A quick search on the internet. provided the following information:
Under EC Regulation 261/2004 you may be entitled to financial compensation if your airline fails to operate your flight according to schedule.
However, you are not entitled to compensation if the airline claims "exceptional circumstances" have caused the failure. Airline companies will often hide behind this term to avoid having to pay out.
More information is available on the EU website http://ec.europa.eu/transport/passengers/air/air_en.htm and ther is a complaints form to be sent to the airline.
If after sending the form you receive no or unsatisfactory corresponece from the airline within a period of weeks (6??) you forward a copy of the form you sent to the appropriate authority which in Malta is the Dept of Civil Aviation.
Hope this information is of some help.
W Spencer
Oct 27th 2009, 20:15
@ Galea L
We always fly Easyjet, reasonably priced, pleasant helpful cabin crew, no hidden costs, no problems !!
Would we fly Air Malta, of course, but the money we save by flying Easyjet pays for our car rental in the UK .
Roger Boyle
Oct 27th 2009, 19:58
@ Phil Humphries
What are you complaining about? You should have known, especially if you booked on line, that there is an admin fee. Who does not charge one anyway? Try changing a Ryanair or
easyjet flight or any other airline for that matter.
@ Julie Peace
I have found several occasions where Airmalta was cheaper than both major low cost carriers. Use their web site, add up all the charges that the low cost airlines charge and choose for yourself
Julie Peace
Oct 27th 2009, 14:35
I don't think its fair to "slag off" Air Malta against Ryan Air and Easyjet. Customers should just make their preferred choice when booking. doesn't make Air Malta any worse than Easyjet just because their fares happen to be dearer on a particular day. I like flying Air Malta best, its more civilised. I visit from the UK as often as I can, 4-5 times a year and I like being given an allocated seat, a paper to read, a free drink and a meal. I don't like having to crowd round a departure gate whilst people push and shove around me. Unfortunately, finances dictate that I book the cheapest flights I can so its been Ryan Air and Easyjet the last couple of times. No complaints, took off on time, landed on time, flight reasonable. Just prefer the comfy leather seats on Air Malta but can't always afford to pay for them. RA & EJ provide a cheape service and people should stop moaning about it
Phil Humphries
Oct 27th 2009, 12:15
As a frequent flyer I support Air Malta whenever possible, however, there are times when the so-called 'Budget' option is far more sensible...
In August, my wife and I were scheduled to fly Air Malta to Manchester, however, a few days beforehand I found that I needed to remain in Malta and I would have to join my wife in the UK a couple of weeks later. As soon as this became apparrent I went to the Air Malta desk at MIA to enquire about changing my flight. A very helpful lady there told me that it would cost the difference between what I originally paid for my ticket and the price it would cost that day, PLUS AN EXTRA €60 'ADMINISTRATION FEE!'. Total cost, one person, one way... €210 !
I thanked the lady for her assistance, then went on-line at the cafeteria and bought a one-way ticket with EasyJet for €145, which included their Speedy Boarding supplement.
In the event, my original Air Malta seat remained empty ( much to my wife's delight ) and I had an enjoyable flight with EasyJet 2 weeks later ( thereby not having to decline the Air Malta meatballs again ! )
Roger Boyle
Oct 27th 2009, 11:38
It was only a matter of time. This is the second complaint about e-Fly in just a month. As I predicted earlier, I don't see this little 30 year old red plane flying too high for too long.
D. Scerri
Oct 27th 2009, 10:34
Air Malta offers a budget service at a premium cost. Sometimes even less than that. The in flight food is a disgrace, the attitude of the cabin crew is often miserable and condescending.
It used to be an excellent airline, but customer care is now anathema to them.
james calleja
Oct 27th 2009, 09:36
one has to be careful who to trust. Ryanair sometimes are worth it but on other occasions they are not worth it. If you are not in a hurry and can plan your holiday according to when they have availability, it can prove wothwhile. There are the silly restrictions about luggage and pay for everything on board, but i never consumne food or drink during their flights. Always check airmalta before you confirm. they have some good deals especially flyaway tours.
Galea. L
Oct 27th 2009, 09:12
Cheap airlines = chap service = high hidden costs.