Air Malta operates all flights but one, despite bad weather over Europe

Joseph Sammut

Dec 24th 2009, 08:15

My view is that I do not like cheap airlines, so I travel Air Malta always. But the blogs below have all turned to congratualating Air Malta for its bravado to minimise inconvenience to its clients. Two crucial issues have not been mentioned, namely, that it is not Air Malta's prerogative/decision to fly to an airport is closed down due to bad weather and the other thing is that I do not call anyone a bravo if it would risk my life. So please do not take Air Malta's actions over these last few days as heroic: it is all controlled, as it should be.

M. Debono

Dec 24th 2009, 05:09

I am a frequent Ryanair traveller. My first experience was last year when a flight from Venice was cancelled because of fog. They offered free flight re-booking and I had to stay there for another two days. I'm not sure if they offered refund but it wouldn't have mattered as my flight was only €5. Some people opted to book a flight with Air Malta from some other airport, which would take them some hours by train, and a flight costing about 50 times of what I had paid. I still preferred cheap flights after that, and used Air Malta when I didn't have flexible dates.

Sarah Galea/Joseph, I'm not exactly sure by what you mean that you will never travel with Ryanair because your life is more precious than anything. Do you think an aircraft will fly if it is not safe to fly? During this and last week I traveled on six Ryanair flights around Europe. I only had delays on two flights to/from Germany, and because of the weather. I didn't bother to get insurance, I trust them now. I don't apply for insurance to get on the bus, because I trust my driver.

Berys Said

Dec 24th 2009, 00:12

To Charles J. Buttigieg:

My daughter was on the same Ryanair flight and has rebooked to travel tomorrow from
Heathrow . She couldn't return home as by the time she had retrieved her suitcase, the taxis had stopped working and she was stranded at the airport.
The Ryanair website had an area where you could claim back the cost of the cancelled flight which she has duly filled in.
It wasn't Ryanair's fault that the snow and ice closed the airport and it wasn't their fault that she couldn't get a taxi.
Don't blame the airline for something which was out of their control. If they had offered free food and drink I doubt if your son would have been able to be served as the airport was in complete chaos!
I am unable to answer your first comment as I am not Maltese and do not speak or read Maltese, which is why I read The Times of Malta - an English language newspaper.

Nicky Anastasi

Dec 23rd 2009, 22:55

We booked our ryanair flights 3months ago to attend my brothers' b'day party on the 18/12-which I had been helping to organise for months. Airmalta flights too expensive compared to Ryanair-so I thought i would save money! Yeah right! I spent more than I had planned for!

My 2year old son and myself were in tears on Friday the 18/12 when our ryanair flight was cancelled! Monitors in Luton and customer services(when I called at 8:00a.m+13:00) both informed us our flight was on time. We had spent 5hours travelling by train(temp was -2 degrees C and many train delays)so we had to return home with all the luggage and in the cold weather again.We were so disappointed that the next ryan air flight to Malta with available seats were on the 26th Dec! Luckily I got a full ryan air refund-but now armalta's ticket costed so much(even more than the 1st time)+the travel expenses to get to Luton and back for nothing! Missed my brothers' birthday, I refused to be away from family in Malta for the Xmas. I booked an airmalta flight for 20/12,slight delay-but arrived safely in Malta for Xmas!10q Airmalta!Bye Bye 'cheap' airlines!

R Micallef

Dec 23rd 2009, 22:51

@Sarah Galea
It is Christal clear that you do not know what you are talking about !!
If your insurance does not cover cancellation for bad weather choose a better insurance, a reliable one.
The hidden costs you mentioned below are not displayed clearly on the screen and can also be avoided by paying by Visa Electron (which is free at BOV)
Enlighten us when you say that Airmalta fares are equivalent to Ryanair !! Ever booked an Airmalta flight for €1 ??

Marie Anne Zammit

Dec 23rd 2009, 22:17

I was one of the passengers who was stranded last Sunday in Manchester airport due to bad weather conditions. It was not what I and my collegues were expecting after two intensive weeks in Chester.
I must say a big thank you to the Air Malta crew for tackling the situation in the most professional way.The crew were reassuring us all the way and did their utmost to control the situation untill we were safely brought home the next day.
Well done Air Malta

Sarah Galea

Dec 23rd 2009, 20:29

@ R.Micallef please note that most insurance don''t cover you for cancellation of bad weather, or act of God so before you comment check
Also for your information if they pay me to go Ryanair I will never do that as my life is more precious that anything, and regarding Airmalta's delay most probably is for the safety of passengers, mind you I travel alot and sometime fares are cheaper than Easyjet and are equivalent to Ryanair cause if you add up all the hidden charges hey are equivalent.
@Mr.Cassar
Pilots will never risk a plane with passengers for fun so that they be confident what Airmalta pilots do they consider the hassle other airlines which have no responsabilities leave the passengers stranded
Joseph

Chris Frendo

Dec 23rd 2009, 19:28

@ all low cost airlines criticizer

Why does every time Air Malta announces anything positive, it has to turn in a tirade against Ryanair and other low cost airlines? Like it or not, low cost airlines have been instrumental in bringing a lot of tourists which may not have come if it wasn't for the cheap flights.

I can't figure out why some people pay a few euros and expect the full service of a regular price airline. Those people who argue that they pay a lot of money on low cost airline are clearly making a mistake. Low cost airlines are just that; either get a low price or don't travel with low cost airlines.

I have been to various Ryan air destinations and has never paid more than 50€ (sometimes as low as 12€). If I have a pressing appointment I would either do insurance which covers delays or travel with another airline.

Ron Saliba

Dec 23rd 2009, 19:18

@Tony Mangion and all of the same ilk

Why do you have to put politics in EVERYTHING?! Can you please stop these childish remarks and congratulate airmalta for what it has done.

P Muscat

Dec 23rd 2009, 18:45

Truly well done Air Malta!! This is it. What better advertising?!

@ R Micallef
What if you don't have insurance? What if you have an important business meeting waiting for you?? What if you need to get home for Christmas??? Enlighten us please.

By the way : Did you ever lodge a complain with Ryanair for whatever reason? Where did you lodge it?? And did you receive any acknowledgement or reply to your complain???

nice Christmas to all

Tony Mangion

Dec 23rd 2009, 18:14

Air Malta Company which was in such a bad light by the P.N. in the beginning, is now the hero of the other airlines. Good Luck.

A.Calleja

Dec 23rd 2009, 17:59

Thanks God we have our own airline who cares for its passengers. Very well done AIR MALTA. I always travel Air Malta because I have full trust in it. Thanks to the dedicated Pilots, Cabin crew and last but not least thanks to the professional Management.

Charles Caruana

Dec 23rd 2009, 17:36

WELL DONE AIRMALTA. ALWAYS OFFERING THE BEST SERVICE FOR PASSENGERS WITH SAFETY FIRST PRIORITY.

Michael Neville Cassar

Dec 23rd 2009, 17:34

I hope that the pilots are not being over confident in and out of airports, with such weather. For the sake of the passengers and safety .

R Micallef

Dec 23rd 2009, 17:22

@Alfred Demicoli
In the last years I flew with Ryanair, Easyjet & also Airmalta and the only problem I had was Airmalta's continuous late departures. As I said before, if I ever have a problem with any airline I am covered by my low cost and reliable insurance policy.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am trying to give an impression that Ryanair is better than airmalta...not at all. Please keep using Airmalta and avoid Ryanair if you wish to do so.
Please leave the free seats for those who like me prefer to save money.

C. Schembri

Dec 23rd 2009, 17:01

This is why I prefer Air Malta. You do pay extra, but you are always in good hands, and (to add a Maltese saying) "Dejjem taf fejn qieghed maghhom!"

Keep it up!

Paul Vella

Dec 23rd 2009, 16:53

Air malta any time!! No Scrooge Airlines for me...A peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New year to all!!

Isabelle Vella Gregory

Dec 23rd 2009, 16:44

My partner and I were two of the many passengers who managed to get home in these tough weather conditions thanks to Air Malta. While airports were facing chaos, everything went smoothly at the Air Malta check in desks and they did their utmost to minimize inconvenience for customers. This is what a good quality airline is all about. Unlike "cheap" airlines, in times of crisis Air Malta was able to show its true nature and carry on regardless.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Dec 23rd 2009, 16:39

Part Two.
My_son-was_was_checked-in on Ryan air Flight 3882 scheduled to depart at 1600 from Luton on December 21. Due to inclement weather the passengers were kept on the tarmac for two hours and then advised that they will be deplaned and have to wait in the terminal foe at least four more hours. Eventually the airport was closed to air traffic.

During this ordeal, Ryanair didn’t as much as offere a cup of coffee to its destitute passengers and to add to their miserable service they just told their clients (Sic) to go home and rebook their flights again and they would be accommodated on a first-come-first-go basis.

My son arrived at his home in Tonbridge, Kent the next day at 0830 too exhausted to do anything except catching up on some sleep. His Christmas Holiday is now completely ruined and the whole family is disappointed because he’s been left with no time to re-book and give it another shot.

His next perilous quest will be faced when he demands a full refund because it has already been intimated that the cancellation was due to a force majeure and no refund would be given.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Dec 23rd 2009, 16:39

Attention all passengers.
Int hanina Air Malta taghna mhux ghax Malti nfahrek jien, issemmik id-dinja kollha.........Prosit Air Malta, shame on the cheap airlines. All passengers must become aware that it ends up more expensive when opting for cheap airlines. National Airlines are the safest and cheaper in the long run. I only travel Air Malta or other reputable airlines, ta veru, when I cannot get a seat on Air Malta. Trust me, I had been a seasoned passenger since 1960 and I know a thing or two about airlines.

C. ABela

Dec 23rd 2009, 16:38

@ R Micallef

If you book well in advance you will find that for a low price with airmalta you can travel to say Heathrow, at the right time of day, arrive snug and cosy without having to catch a train or a bus right in the middle of bustling London.

Regarding bad weather no one can predict it in advance so its not easy to stay at home and come another day. Busy work schedules dictate otherwise. If you have a very flexibe shcedule than thats fine for you but not for the other hundreds of passengers.

Alfred Demicoli

Dec 23rd 2009, 16:20

@R Micallef
Ultra cheapo prices you mean right? My advice is check again and you will be surprised. Just wait till you have a problem with your Ryanair or Easy flight and you will find that your "bargains" over the last few few flights with them have faded to dust.

R Micallef

Dec 23rd 2009, 15:39

@Sarah Galea

Veru li kultant 'L- irhis Gholi' ...imma l- Gholi huwa Gholi dejjem !!!

Before I fly I always check out Airmalta website first but I always end up booking with Ryanair or easyjet due to ultra cheap prices. Never had to complain or regret. If ever my flight gets cancelled I claim the insurance and fly another day. If it gets cancelled due to bad weather why bother to go there on that day ;)

Roger Boyle

Dec 23rd 2009, 15:37

Well done Air Malta - the caring airline. Indeed low cost airlines simply cancelled their flights without offering further assistance to the stranded passengers. I had friends coming over from Luton with Ryanair and they ended up having travel Air Malta after all as Ryanair offered no assistance whatsoever without the remotest possibility of a refund from Ryanair.

This is why Air Malta is here to stay.

C Zamit

Dec 23rd 2009, 15:37

WELL DONE AIr Malta That is what a service is all about .
My son and his partner have been booked with RYANAIR for over 2 months . They were supposed to arrive in Malta Monday 21st Dec . After waiting on the aircraft for two hours they were not only not given any refreshments but were unable to buy any onboard . After the passengers erupted , permission was given for the aircraft by Luton authorities to disembark . They were left high and dry at Luton airport . No information was given and after booking into a hotel for the night , which cost a 100 pounds sterling they had an hours walk in snow dragging their bags . They had to re book another flight with another airline . As my son told me "Yes cheap until something goes wrong and as far as RYANAIR goes I will not fly with that airline for free even if they gave me the aircraft on arrival .

Sarah Galea

Dec 23rd 2009, 15:23

All passengers thank God that the airline was Airmalta if it was Ryanair they had to arrange for arriving to the destination, that's what in Maltese we say l- irhis ghali
Very Good Airmalta continue like that

C. Abela

Dec 23rd 2009, 15:12

Testament to all this is the cancelled flights by Ryan Air and Easy Jet who did not care about any alternative routing to their paying passengers. People turn up to their desk, find their 'cheap' flight is cancelled and have to make it back home using alternate means or to fullybooked hotels.

In reality a cheap fare ends up costing more compared to a normal ticket with our national airline.

Airmalta always tries to get its stranded passenger back home. Thats the true spirit of an airline.

Well done!

Alison Natalie Keeler

Dec 23rd 2009, 15:07

Very well done indeed.