Friday, 6th November 2009 - 20:31CET
Efly blames uneven playing field for ceasing flights
Efly, the low cost airline launched in Malta recently, said this evening it has ceased services to Catania because of an uneven playing field with its competitor, but would continue to focus on its original strategy - wet leasing, charter and ad hoc flights.
It said in a statement that its competitor used predatory tactics to force it out of the route.
"This has been done by dumping prices to below cost level. Matters got out of hand when Malta International Airport made it next to impossible for our service vehicles to access the aircraft. There were also serious delays in the issue of entry permits to our technical staff. This has led the company to reconsider its own presence in the scheduled market."
It said it would review its position only if a serious level playing field was established in the local market, whereby access was guaranteed to each and every player.
The company thanked those who supported the new venture and apologised with clients’ whose flights were cancelled.
Full reimbursement of their funds was being processed, it said.
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Comments
The MIA gives subsidies to some airlines from money which it collects from ALL the passengers which go thru the airport . This is not a level playing field , but has the blessing of the government , with the excuse that new tourists are being added to the visitors to Malta.
How is it possible for some airlines to give FREE tickets , if this subsidy is not there ???
Sometimes I wonder what some airlines carry in their aircraft ??Sometimes cargo is more worthwhile than passengers !!!!
You are partly right and awfully wrong in your comments.
What nobody notices is that when one purchases an airline ticket, the major cost to the final price is taken by MIA and the Government.
However people think that what is paid is what the airlines get.
Unfortunately IMHO it is not a level playing fields, and can never understand how certain foreign airlines get government subsidies per seat whilst others dont.!!!
Why do you think that a certain airline offer seats at Euro 1.? The truth is that he gets a Euro from you and a government subsidy too. And may I ask who at the end is paying such subsidies.? Bravo well done, the right answer is YOU.
Yet you think that he is doing you a favour!.
What must be done is that the goverment and MIA decreases taxes and charges and let people enjoy ourselves.
There is a lesson here.
Best of luck E-fly, grow stronger for the second round !!
Where is the Eu?Compettiton is healthy in every sector!!
so where the eu when this is going on asleep i surpose
good luck efly