Update 2: Ryanair inaugurates Malta base

Mary Ann Borg

May 20th 2010, 22:22

Air Malta operates 12 Airbuses and directly employs , which works at 115 workers EACH aircraft. Ryanair has 35 workers for each aircraft. So, those who are happy enough to pay for the over-employment at KM, go ahead. Now if my government is subsidising Ryanair, then it makes more sense for me to make even more use of the low-cost airline because I'm getting my money back, in more ways than one. Ryanair has the best on-time record compared to all other european airlines - being low-cost or classic airlines. On Ryanair I eat when I please, not when the stewards decide to feed me - only to leave me with an empty tray for as long as they deem fit while they go round offering teas and coffees and having a good laugh at the back between themselves. I hope Air Malta will not suffer the same fate of the drydocks but it needs to change and change drastically. Of course, there is room for both low-cost and classic airlines. As I write, I know that had I chosen to fly British Airways from London to Rome next week the chances are i would have been left stranded.

c galea

May 20th 2010, 18:55

Ryanair has about 270 aircraft and 7000 employees , so that works out to about 35 employees per aircraft , which is a far cry from 800 !
Pull my other leg ...and remember when they pulled the plug on Manchester

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8205445.stm

If the money from the airport taxes runs out , so does Micheal !

Can anyone find me two dates at 30 Euro to anywhere in August ? The other charges are for airports ,priority boarding , luggage, boarding card , credit card and online checkin ?

c galea

May 20th 2010, 18:29

I hope that the 800 jobs are for the Maltese , but hard to believe that for one aircraft you need 800 people to service it ?
Two years ago , Ryanair said it was closing down Valencia after a number of years enjoying good grants from the Spanish airport .

http://tinyurl.com/2vlcp2b

We must be careful that the girlfriend does not find a new man after the wife has died !

Edward Bijl

May 20th 2010, 13:11

BUYING PAINT FROM A HARDWARE STORE

Hi. How much is your paint?
We have regular quality for $12 a gallon and premium for $18. How many gallons would you like?
Five gallons of regular quality, please.
Great. That will be $60 plus tax.

BUYING PAINT FROM AN AIRLINE

Hi, how much is your paint?
Well, sir, that depends.
Customer: Depends on what?
On a lot of things.
Giving me an average price?
The lowest price is $9 a gallon and we have 150 different prices up to $200 a gallon.
What's the difference in the paint?
Oh, there isn't any difference; it's all the same paint.
Well, I'd like some of that $9 paint.
First I need to ask you a few questions.

To see the rest of this wonderful explanation on how airlines explain their tariffs I suggest you look here:
http://www.airynothing.com/humor/airline_paint.txt

Thank Ryanair to sell airline seats like a hardware store is selling paint!

Robert Camilleri

May 20th 2010, 11:32

@Sdegabriele and p vella
naqbel mal kummenti taghkom mija fil mija u nixtieq inzid li r ryaair dejjem hadmu b l inqas nies possibli kif jista jkun li ghal ajtuplan ha jhaddmu 800 persuna?? mela vera jahsbu li nibilaw kollox il maltin ta!! l airmalta thaddem ftit aktar minn 1000 u wkoll hawn in nies zejda ahseb u ara ghal handling biss ta ajruplan ha jinholoq 800 impjieg gdied!! din bis serjeta jew?????

Frank Borg

May 19th 2010, 23:05

Of course Airmalta provides better service, but aren't we paying for it? I used Ryanair, it is value for money. If there fare prices are as high as Airmalta's, than of course one woulld expect the same service, but this is not the case. But talking about service, last month, a friend of mine, travelling with me, had booked and PAYED a flight MLA-B"GHAM-MLA, he didn't use the outward journey as he was caught in UK the same week, when he came to come back from B'GHam, using his PAYED ticket, he was refused boarding because he didn't use his first part of the journey, so his return flight was cancelled by Airmalta, it's policy we were told - bollocks!! My friend had to pay again, MORE for a single way than he paid for the return flight! Since he payed his seat, it is irrelevant whether you use both parts or one part of the journey, the seat is paid, fullstop. So isn't this a rip off from Airmalta? Ryanair and Easyjet, please give us more destinations at fantastic prices!

Sarah Bennett

May 19th 2010, 22:01

I agree there is room for both, because we all have different preferences; I would prefer to fly Air Malta because in my experience it offers a superior service to Ryanair (not necessarily superior service per se, but compared to Ryanair...). I travel to Malta several times a year and have done for the last 10 or so years. The cost of flying Air Malta has always been high. The introduction of a no frills air line has made a huge difference to my pocket, and contrary to the comment below I know that the Air Malta schedule is far from convenient; I fly from East Midlands with said airline and inevitably land at 'silly o'clock' in the morning, spend the rest of the day catching up with my sleep, and that day actually counts as a day of my visit. On the other hand, Ryanair's schedule means I land at a reasonable time both ends. I also must say that Ryanair most definitely does not drop me at a 'remote' airport, on the contrary, again. I feel that Air Malta are losing out considerably, if they were a genuine competitor for Ryanair they would have my business, guaranteed.

M.Pule'

May 19th 2010, 17:29

I do not know why some of the contributors on this page keep reasoning like children. You cannot compare Ryanair with Airmalta. There is room for both of them & they serve a different purpose. While Ryanair takes you to a remote airport largely @ odd hours, Airmalta gets you to a primary located airport at the best time of the day. So how can you compare their prices, apart from that Ryan gets hefty subsidies to do the job? And then, who served its obligation towards the Maltese travellers & tourists coming to Malta during the snowstorms/ashcloud in the UK these last months? It was only Airmalta that has gone to their rescue. The so called cheap ticket comes with an additional hidden price. Ask those who were left stranded.....

Dobbeck-Vella

May 19th 2010, 15:22

Great to introduce six other destinations to Malta but why are you leaving out Germany ? Ryan Air can you explain this? The German Market has always been and still is a good market.

HV. Wilcox

May 19th 2010, 13:22

God Bless Ryanair we just booked for the south west of England for less then 30€ EA *****. Now beat that AirMalta if you can and then reply, or maybe there is no answer from customer care . Vicky Wilcox

J.Scicluna

May 19th 2010, 13:04

800 jobs!?

Wow!

Could Ryanair explain, please?

What a joke...and WE are subsidizing each passenger that arrives in Malta (irrespective if it is a tourist OR a returning Maltese national) by about EUR25 from our taxes.

Karl Consiglio

May 19th 2010, 13:00

Now that's great news right there, big prosit. to all involved.

R.Giorgino

May 19th 2010, 12:17

Have you tried the Airmalta Flypass gimmick???
Try to book an award, until they reply/confirm, the fees have gone up/doubled. You have to go personally to change a voucher, be charged because it's not an online booking etc.

Thank you Ryan air. You always offer a wonderful service!!

Harry Forrester

May 19th 2010, 11:34

Everyone has their personal preferences, its up to them to fly with whom they wish..those who want a cheap flight can use ryan air whilst those who want to pay an overinflated price to feel that they are treated well can enjoy a nice meal on a 'quality' carrier like airmalta - after all, it is really worth it to pay hundreds of euros extra just to remain loyal to the local airline whilst enjoying a luxurious meal in the most comfortable seats that exist.

I find it impossible to believe that some people would not dare consider using ryanair. I don't know what the reasoning is, because i have used them before, and they are on par with air malta on arrival time, departure time, and service.

Johnnie Bowdler

May 19th 2010, 10:09

It's humorous reading some of the comments from the jingoistic Maltese Air Malta-lovers. Could these be the very same people who bitterly complained about Air Malta's monopolistic blood-leaching prices before the advent of low cost services?
I agree with some of the saner comments found in this forum that a happy mix of the national airline and low cost carriers is the best arrangement for the poor traveller. Pay your money, and take your choice.
Personally I've travelled numerous times with AM. They are an average airline at best, and about par for the course for a European carrier. Three of my family are hoping to travel to the UK next month. Total cost with Ryan Air including add-ons AND taxi from Luton to Chiwsick is Eur 390. Cost with Air Malta including tube fare Heathrow to Chiswick Eur 1,000.
I rest my case.

Fabian Mizzi

May 18th 2010, 23:24

Facts :

Air Malta used to contribute to the Maltese economy and was never "another Dockyard" but wrong management decisions and other facts on which Air Malta had no control on contributed to the present situation Air Malta finds itself in.

When Air Malta staff ( like all airline staff worldwide) travel on reduced fares these are only possible depending on seat availability and the cost just covers taxes so NO passenger contributes to staff travel subsidy.

Ryanair always promise high passenger factors but I still have to be shown figures that show that they actually maintain their promise. Also, one has to keep in mind that the figures quoted by Ryanair are mostly of passengers that used to travel on other carriers before Ryanair started operation to Malta so Ryanair should make its promise on NEW travellers to Malta and not those who just prefer no frills.

Davide Ponente

May 18th 2010, 22:52

I always travel Air Malta and always will. You Maltese should be SO proud of having your own airline! An airline that has a history and that has lots of charm.Give me Air Malta forever!

Jimmy Magro

May 18th 2010, 20:11

Some people are trying to tell us how much they travel. Who is asking for this data. No one cares how much you fly out or in.
Let the market makes the decsions. Some people like to fly with Km and others with Ryanair. So what is the problem. This does not mean that we have to exclude one or the other. Economy should be built on diversity of companies providing different, equal, unequal, professional and not professional services. People can make the choice. Let the people make their choices.

The only no choice there is is that all airlines must have operational controls to ensure the highest safety levels possible. It is here that there is need for full quality standards. No one should be allowed to play with people's lives.

Let Air Malta carry out its duty to serve our country in the best way poossible. The company must be more effective and efficient as finally there will be no subsidies even if it is perceived as a solid pillar to our tourism. Dockyard was the backbone of our industrial sector but finally it was closed down since the Government said fullstop.

The same can happen to AIRMALTA.

kathryn Schembri

May 18th 2010, 20:03

I refer to the negative comments made on this post regarding Air Malta. My first comment regards an argument that Edinburgh is a prime tourist destination I seriously doubt this.
Air Malta will operate to destinations it and it alone deems profitable. I would also like to mention overstaffing talk to someone Mr. Kelly who has a real job and works a thirteen to fourteen hour shift. This work if it is in Load Control Section means that you are responsible for fuel weights and measures and loading of the aircraft. There cannot I repeat cannot be any margin for error passenger safety is at stake. For anyone else's information this includes Mr. Kelly, Ryan Air are feted given champagne receptions and lauded by this Government to the hilt. Some people will go to any lengths to appease anything that is foreign, it has to be better....rubbish.
Ryan Air is and will always be nothing more than a glorified bus service ideal for the frequent traveller who doesn't mind how he travels, I am.100 percent behind Air Malta their staff are smart efficient and truly work orientated . Keep it up I'm proud of u all.

Philip Vella

May 18th 2010, 19:57

it is true that ryanair usually cheaper flights than air malta. but on the other hand i cannot understand why people continue criticizing airmalta, when ryanir get the other share of the ticket from the government subsidies. Secondly how on earth can you criticize air malta when at this day and age it is still giving out reduced fare to maltese passengers travelling to the uk on medical reasons, and god know how many other social cases air malta has to deal with as OUR NATIONAL AIRLINE. So please do me a favour and and stop criticizing Air Malta

A. Pace

May 18th 2010, 19:23

I would like to fly to Bologna in Nov. but their are no flights with Air Malta for whatever reason, so I have to fly with R. Air. Good luck to R. Air. I travelled with them and I was very pleased.
Air Malta has a lot of reduced flights but usually they are taken by friends or families.

Liam Kelly

May 18th 2010, 18:40

JAFarrugia;So if you drive your car alone instead of having 4 passengers in it you somehow arrive faster just because your lighter? You only arrive sooner if you increase your speed.

Infact if you have a heavier aircraft like you claim air malta have, you need to fly FASTER in order to get optimum performance, yet they still take longer than Ryanair!

Funny world isn't it?

Francis Farrugia

May 18th 2010, 17:56

Hi Ryanair. 300,000 tourists to Malta. Is this another gimmick like the one from Germany and then without any notice you stop the flights abruptly like you have done from Bremen.

Air Malta please keep it up. To all Maltese. Plan your flights way ahaead. Go on internet and cheap flights are there for you. travel Air Malta

Edwin Mifsud

May 18th 2010, 17:16

Why is the goverment wasting time on these investments?

Time should be better spent like designing a new party emblem. Now that would better our future.

C.Spiteri

May 18th 2010, 16:12

AIR MALTA- tried to book a flyaway tour to Rome. I then did my own booking -same airline- same hotel and I found it was 70 euro cheaper. How's that for business. Good thing we got low cost. I then booked same hotel and EasyJet and saved a total of 300 euro from the 904euro Air Malta flyaway..

sALIBA m.

May 18th 2010, 15:27

AM is daylight robbery ....who cares if i dont eat for 3 hours...its not like i'm getting first class food from AM,....long live low cost airlines....

Airmalta - Malta Brussels 400 EUR
Lufthansa - Brussels NEW YORK 366 EUR (5 and half hour of flight more!!)

talk to me now?!!

Liam Kelly

May 18th 2010, 15:06

The Edinburgh route is a prime example of the difference between Airmalta and Ryanir; Edinburgh is a major tourism destination, yet ainot in the Airmalta Schedule,instead they fly to Glasgow, which has 0 tourism appeal.Good for the expats in Glasgow but bad for the Expats in Edinburgh AND all the tours of Scotland which inevitabily involve Edinburgh.

on the rare occasion a charter was operated to Edinburgh, it took at least 4 hours, yet with Ryanair on occasions the plane is arriving an HOUR early! JAFaarrugia, this is not due to the wind, its becuase they fly at a higher speed which athough means they consume more fuel they save on paying the staff more wages; This is a worthwhile opportunity/cost.

Third, we are all experts on these 'Ryanair subsidies' ; shame no-one actually knows how much these are, how they are paid and on what basis....funny that we are still all experts on the subject though.

For too long AirMalta has been robbing us blind with ridiculously high fares, poorly served regional routes and a monopoly position in the market. A bloated workforce, blatent inefficiencies and poor decision making are all issues which badly need to be addressed.

N Cremona

May 18th 2010, 14:57

How come the Alps region and south Germany still not in the plans of Ryan air.Is there a gap for low cost in those regions to start operations.Any answer out there?

Joseph E Briffa

May 18th 2010, 14:40

I feel that unless AM reduces the perks to their employees we will shortly end up with another drydocks on our hands. Next step to be considered by AM is a reduction of staff; there are too many people on its books. The times of Air Zejtun are over.

Joseph Calleja

May 18th 2010, 14:39

Why is it that some people criticize Ryanair when most of their flights are booked full? They must be doing something right besides giving Air Malta a run for their money. Ryanair created a lot of jobs in Malta and so do Air Malta. Remember it's your choice which airline to fly and as long as an airline gets me from here to there safely, why not try to save some money doing it. Competition is what makes a better airline. I wish Ryanair would fly Malta/Heathrow .

S DEGABRIELE

May 18th 2010, 14:30

DAVID TESTA
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE RIGHT KM HAS DONE NO PROFIT FROM THE DAY THIS GOVERMENT HAS BEEN IN POWER BECAUSE IT'S SWORN TO DESTROY EVERYTHING CREATED BY THE PRIEVIOS LABOUR GOVT LOOK AROUND AND YOU WILL KNOW WHAT I MEAN

G. Caruana

May 18th 2010, 14:05

Michael O'Leary of ryanair goes into a Dublin pub and asks for a pint of Guinness.

"That will be one Euro, please," says the barman.

"That's a very fair price," replies O'Leary.

"Would you like a glass with that, sir?" asks the barman.

Claire Busuttil

May 18th 2010, 13:55

Good luck Ryanair.......please add some more destinations.....

J. CURMI

May 18th 2010, 13:55

NOW THAT RYANAIR HAVE A BASE IN MALTA WILL THEY HAVE AN OFFICE EQUIPPED WITH A TELEPHONE AND SOMEONE TO ANSWER IT TO ENABLE THEM TO HANDLE ENQUIRIES AND PROBLEMS.

AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE TO PHONE THEIR NUMBER IN IRELAND AT A COST!!!!!!!!!

Ian Glazier

May 18th 2010, 13:34

As an example why we need Ryanair and why AM could close tomorrow.

Flights booked on 22 nd December from Edinburgh and returning 5th January.

Ryanair £153.00 inclusive of luggage 15 Kilo

AM £551.42 inclusive of luggage 20 kilo

For 4 people booked a difference of £1593.68

Travel time Ryanair 4 hours and usually take 3.5

Travel time AM 8 hours and stopping off at Heathrow

Ryanair always leaves on time and arrives early

AM no chance.

I will willingly forego 4 crapp meals both ways for £1593.68

If as is obvious AM cannot compete with the professionals then it should shup down.

Ryanair is doing the job AM should be doing and that is supporting Malta tourism and if they

make a handsome profit so be it.

There must be some massive inefficiencies at AM

Questions should be asked.

Simon Ciantar

May 18th 2010, 13:26

I am not a fan of Ryainair but neither of Air Malta - Just got a quote from latter to Vienna next month price for two persons 18 to 20 th costs over €800!! but if you go 17th and come 21st its about €150 less- these are the things Air Malta should have a look at !!!

josef sammut

May 18th 2010, 13:16

@Sarah Galea
The only subsidies I know of are the free tickets you get as an Air Malta employee from the extra money I pay for the Air Malta ticket. Try to compair the prices on the internet and you will find out what I am talking about.

charles spiteri

May 18th 2010, 13:13

@ sara galia air malta is anther dockyard

R Cassar

May 18th 2010, 13:11

If with one aircraft based in Malta should create 800jobs, then bring over some more to have
full employment and close down ETC!

VICTOR VELLA

May 18th 2010, 12:55

During the labour era the PN used to call the MLP tal-qamel u tal-habbaziz because they used to go to Libya and China. Today the PN are boasting and helping and abeting RyanaIR -a TAL-QAMEL U TAL-HABBAZIZ AIRLINE -PAY TO GO TO THE TOILET-ONE TOILET ONLY FOR ALL THE PASSENGERS- IN CASE THREE PASSENGERS WANT TO GO TO THE LOO TWO HAVE TO FIND A CORNER U JITLIQGHU HEMM. hA ha. PN look at the mirror. Pay attention not to spit on it. Be careful.

R. Camilleri

May 18th 2010, 12:53

Can someone please explain how Ryanair recieves subsidies? Sources please.

@C.Mallia: I got stranded in France in April and got nothing extra from Air Malta. I paid my own train ticket to get to Rome. To be fair, it is one thing to force airlines to pay when they are at fault, it is another to force them to pay when a volcano is at fault.

Alex Tanti

May 18th 2010, 12:49

Could MTA, Tourism Authorities and Ryanair
consider servicing

the Donegal/Malta - Derry/Malta or the Belfast/Malta route

sure that it well marketed it will surely be an all win situation.....

Sarah Galea

May 18th 2010, 12:39

Could I have a reply, so now congrats to Ryanair for obtaining there base in Malta thanks to my subsidies though I never use Ryanair and never will, and they are taking a share of my job as I am an Airmalta employee, also MIA should treat everyone equal I never saw someone at MIA giving away flowers and qaghaq tal- ghasel to Airmalta passengers though the biggest share of flights are Airmalta's. Please beware you are saving some euros but you are paying much more with your subsidies I hope one day the government will stand up and stop subsidizing this low cost airline that whenever they like they cancel the flights. If the hotels want the rooms full, first of all they should see how much they are overcharging to have a glass of coke in a particular hotel it was €2.50

A Burlo

May 18th 2010, 12:34

C Mallia pity were not one of those Ryan Air passengers stranded due volcanic ash who got no refund!!

Joe Aquilina

May 18th 2010, 12:27

Just back last Saturday from Edinburgh. The total price paid was Euro 126 including all perks and the coffee I purchase during the flight. If I had to fly air Malta the trip will take an extra 5 hours in connection flights and airport waiting and pay at lease twice and a half what I paid.
Also I used ryan air 7 times so far and never had a single delay.

Others who do not like Ryan -Air can use other airlines. Keep it up Ryan- Air

J. Grech

May 18th 2010, 12:23

Now That's what i call Business!!

Joseph Vella

May 18th 2010, 12:03

Everyone seems to forget that this airline is being heavily subsidised by us to still operate in malta. Can anyone from the goverment indicate the amount of this subsidy? Is it right that we taxpayers subsidise this carrier so that our 'hungry' business hotel operators run their hotels at full cpacityl whilst still paying peanuts to their workers. One must also remember that we aklso subsidise the water and electricity consumption of the hotels.

Godfrey Grima

May 18th 2010, 12:02

Ryanair may be happy to announce the new base. But Mighty Mick does not have to resort to inflated numbers to "celebrate" (Ryanair celebrates everything - good and bad!) this event.
Based on Ryanair flying its full Summer schedule year round, and filling the planes to capacity on each and every flight, a simple multiplication will result in 26% less passengers than the figure mentioned in the news item. The numbers will decrease further when the leaner winter schedule is taken into account. It will certainly be amusing to learn how Ryanair came up with the other two figures.

M Tabone

May 18th 2010, 11:40

This good news augers well for of us Maltese! Good luck Ryanair

Acachia

May 18th 2010, 11:34

GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C Mallia

May 18th 2010, 11:34

Great news Ryanair. With such a base, when will you include Malta--Brussels Charleroi please...it will be an all year round success.

Fabian Mizzi

May 18th 2010, 11:16

Promises Promises Promises !!!!!