An incentive scheme for airlines operating to and from Malta has been available since 2007, Malta International Airport said.
This included three year term incentives of up to 60 per cent in winter on new strategic destinations and a discount of up to 40 per cent in winter on new destinations, as well as over 50 per cent payback on transfer passengers.
Details of the scheme were available on MIA's website in the Business Services section.
MIA accused the Airline Pilots Association of continuing "with their misguided efforts" to put the onus of the current need for restructuring at the national airline on the airport.
The airport said it also had very favourable rates for aircraft parking – including the first six hours of free parking.
Cargo income from Air Malta, it said, was nowhere near the amounts being mentioned by the pilots' association.
It said it also offered favourable rates for car parking to all employees working within the airport premises, including Air Malta's.
"It is surely not the role of Malta International Airport to discuss anything with any of the number of unions representing a section of employees of its clients, and it will refrain from entering into similar debates.
"The company has always shown it is willing to discuss its role in the successful future of Air Malta – and to this effect, has already started discussions with the management of Air Malta," it said.
The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) said today that unlike Malta International Airport, several airports over the world offer incentives to attract airlines to use their facilities.
Brussels national airport, for example offered a three-year incentive, Budapest a five-year incentive, while Poland and Tallinn offered an open invite welcoming anyone interested in their airport operations to contact airport authorities and negotiate special offers.
Turkey went a step further and offered a 50 per cent reduction on all fees for airlines operating during the winter months.
Other airports gave further discounts to children, students and senior citizens.
MIA, however, persisted in comparing these airport charges to its own without taking into consideration the attractive incentives they offered.
Air Malta, ALPA said, had to pay a hefty charge for every kilo of cargo loaded out of Malta, rental of airport offices, use of staff car park or even a levy for every litre of fuel uplifted out of Malta.
It said that the World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Competiveness Report 2011 showed that Malta ranked with the higher cost airports in Europe while competitors such as Spain, Italy, Tunisia and Cyprus were way cheaper.
“Furthermore, how can MIA compare its services to those provided at airports such as Munich, Lyon, Orly or Birmingham?
“Is MIA aware that services charged at these airports include use of Air Bridge, ground power for the first hour, passenger transport from remote stands and aircraft marshalling?”
ALPA insisted that without Air Malta, MIA and its dependents would struggle to survive and it was in its interest to protect the national airline.
Without Air Malta MIA income would be 50 per cent lower and a loss of €10 million could be expected, affecting MIA investments and shares, it said.
It said that the MIA quoted fee of €19.89 per passenger did not tally with information provided by Ernst and Young.
MIA airport charges, it insisted, were at par with some of the most expensive airports in Europe.
It said it wanted to discuss these issues with MIA so that a compromise could be reached as soon as possible to safeguard the future of the Air Malta as well as the interests of the 6,600 shareholders who invested in MIA.