Relief flight delayed as weather continues to hinder Gatwick operations

Dr Clive Aquilina Spagnol

Jan 7th 2010, 20:42

It seems as if C Cassar has indeed anti-UK feelings....I lived in Germany for a number of years and some of their roads are bad...if UK has some of its roads bad, it is not just UK. One country you mentioned, Germany, has its own road problems too, and I wouldn't dare say that there is a big difference between UK and Germany. Overall, both have a very good road network and I would put them at par. It is easy to splash out comments without doing a good fact-finding exercise!

C Cassar

Jan 7th 2010, 19:31

@Ruby Jenner: I lived for 35 years in the UK so I'm fully aware of the standard of driving and quality of roads there. If you think Malta has the worst roads in the world (quite a ridiculous comment) then you clearly haven't travelled very much. There are bad roads and good roads as in any country. Roads in Malta have improved exponentially since joing the EU due to additional funding. Ever been to France or Germany? Their roads infrastructure makes the UK's look like 4th world standards and that also includes driver behaviour. The distances in Malta are so small that having autoroute road quality needs to be paid for by the citizens of that country via tax. Sure the EU will help but the country has to buy in with it's own contributions which many Maltese refuse to do. In my opinion there is room for improvement in Malta but there are far greater priorities on the islands than fancy new tarmac. Blaming the government is just blaming the citizens since they are the ones who makes up the government.

Ruby Jenner

Jan 7th 2010, 17:11

CCassar your comment smacks of anti-British feelings. Have you ever visited the UK? How can you possibly comment on a countries infrastructure when here in Malta you have possibly the worst roads in the world. It couldn't be penny pinching surely!

C Cassar

Jan 7th 2010, 17:05

@ Graham Gambit: Firtsly, the UK isn't my motherland. Secondly, the 'potholes' etc in Malta don't delay me by 12 hours (as with the KM116 today). Again, no fault of Air Malta but the Keystone Cops management of UK airports. The rest of central and northern Europe had much lower temperatures AND much more snow than the 10cm that most of the UK had (except for the Scottish Highlands/Pennines where the population is scant anyway). It's a simple fact of greedy people with short term thinking in the UK and the proof is all there to be seen. The UK should admit that other countries such as Germany, Austria, France, Poland, Czech Replublic etc have much more experience in running efficient airports all the year round with the focus on those travelling rather than their operators pockets.

Everyone I've been speaking to on the continent is have a real belly laugh at the UK news reports of the farce that's gripped that nation - they really can't understand why no planning and investment yet again. Meanwhile everyone else gets on with it and has more important things in life to focus on.

Mariella Axisa

Jan 7th 2010, 16:51

We were scheduled to fly to Gatwick this morning at 8.35 but should be leaving at 2000hrs on AirMalta flight KM116. We have found the staff to be helpful and understanding given that the situation is beyond anyone's control...We have always travelled with AirMalta and will definitely continue to do so

Andrew Borg

Jan 7th 2010, 16:10

I had a delay on an Air Malta flight last summer which severely disrupted my onward travel plans. The staff at Air Malta were absolutely fantastic and dealt with the disruption in a very professional, calm, efficient and friendly way. I have to admit that I was impressed with the quatum leap and improvements in the service standards of Air Malta, both on the ground and in the air. Way to go! ...and thankyou.

Sharon Azzopardi

Jan 7th 2010, 13:07

I was one of the passengers who had to travel on the KM116 Air Malta flight to Gatwick. As a side note, being stranded at Malta International Airport is not bad at all considering that the departures lounge offers free Wi-Fi. Apart from this, Air Malta handled our 7 hours delay very professionally; the airline provided heavy refreshments to all passengers, and upon cancellation, it delivered the necessary information and instructions to collect one's baggage and proceed to re-book a ticket.
Personally, I would like to thank the very helpful Air Malta staff for booking me on the next flight to London on that day.
Well done Air Malta.

Isabelle Vella Gregory

Jan 7th 2010, 11:43

We were meant to depart to Gatwick this morning but our flight has been delayed till 8pm. In the meantime, Air Malta personnel have been absolutely fantastic. Although bad weather is completely beyond an airline's control and airlines have procedures in place for such events, we are really impressed by the helpful, friendly staff who are happily going above and beyond the call of duty.

Graham Gambit

Jan 7th 2010, 11:31

re C Cassar - kettles and pots black spring to mind. Is this similar to the lack of a decent infrastructure in malta. plenty of dosh given, but yet, rain water runs away, roads with holds, policement more interested in checking for smoking in bars instead of policing the roads. look closer to home before bad mouthing the mother land. The airport was closed due to snow, not temperatures !!!! good day

Paul Kew

Jan 7th 2010, 11:13

I will leave judgemnt on C Cassar's comments. I have a 60 mile journey just to get to the Manchester Airport. Being a regular Air Malta frequent flyer I am sure they will do their best, but even they are subject to the weather. I have my fingers crossed for Friday night Air Malta flight. I do agree however Easyjet and Ryanair are always quick to cancel.Hope to be in Malta for a beer on Saturday.

Mario Saliba

Jan 7th 2010, 11:12

England has become one of the worst countries in Europe as regards air travel. Good work and thanks for our national airlines AIRMALTA.

C Cassar

Jan 7th 2010, 09:44

The biggest joke in all of this is UK airports. This morning, despite far lower temperatures across continental Europe, the airports in Germany, Russia, Netherlands etc are all running normally. The UK shoud be ashamed of itself for yet again letting down thousands of paying customers by being greedy and not investing in the necessary infrastructure to deal with these issues. This happens time and time again and yet the UK airport authorities always claim that the investment necessary can't be justified. The current debacle is the second such event within 11 months in the UK. When will they ever learn fron the continental neighbours. As usual it's also the British low service airlines that have cancelled most of their flights, again due to penny pinching and short term planning.

Congratulations Air Malta for going beyond what is generally expected from an airline.

A.Schembri

Jan 7th 2010, 09:03

Airmalta is always there to fill in the gaps.

Joe E galea

Jan 7th 2010, 08:05

Well done to Air Malta!!! That is what we call service and responsibility.