Air Malta this evening referred to a work-to-rule directive issued by the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) yesterday and said that in line with the collective agreement, it had informed the union of its intention to refer the dispute for Compulsory Private Conciliation. It has asked ALPA for a meeting to appoint a conciliator.

The airline also stressed that it would not allow any single category of staff to jeopardise the livelihood of the 1,400 families that directly depend on it.

Air Malta said ti was concerned about the "constantly negative attitude shown by ALPA" over the last 22 months.

"Following the signing of the collective agreement between Air Malta and ALPA in January 2008, Air Malta expected relations between the union and the airline to improve and that both entities would work closer together in the interests of both the airline and its pilots as happened with the other unions.

"However, unfortunately this did not materialise, and ALPA, immediately upon signing the agreement, re-started its negative, insensitive, and threatening approach in each and every matter it was discussing with the airline," Air Malta said.

This attitude persisted on the absolute majority of issues being discussed including the insurance policy for the loss of licence for pilots above the age of 55.

Air Malta said that it offered ALPA a very comprehensive ‘Loss of License' cover for the pilots who were over 55, in line with expert advice. This offer would have ensured the continued well-being of Air Malta pilots when they lost their licence.

"The loss of licence policy proposed by Air Malta would not only see that the airline's pilots would not suffer any loss of income but also in certain instances the pilots would be better off than if they continued flying until their retirement," AIr Malta said.

It claimed that ALPA's request would have rewarded pilots with excessive compensation and would have encouraged pilots to lose their license above the age of 55.