Frustration overcame many people who yesterday spent hours trying to get through to Air Malta to book flights at specially reduced prices for the May 28 divorce referendum.
Callers kept finding the line busy when they dialled the call centre number released by the airline specifically for reservations. Some complained that, when they finally got through, they found that flights were already fully booked.
In a statement yesterday, Air Malta said the problem was caused by “technical difficulties” that had been solved. It apologised for the inconvenience.
The airline has added eight extra flights from Luxemburg, London Gatwick, Manchester and Brussels and will be operating its call centre Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. the following morning. “I am so disappointed with the service we are getting to book the flight. It seems there is only one line available,” Tony Gauci said as he joined a chorus of people complaining about the wait on timesofmalta.com yesterday. Others said that, when they managed to get through, they were put on hold.
Andrea Coppini wrote: “I’ve been calling all afternoon. When I do get through, I’m on hold for 40 minutes until the on-hold music suddenly stops.”
On Wednesday the government announced that, as happened in previous elections and referenda, Air Malta would be offering return tickets at €35 to those living overseas who were eligible to vote. Air Malta provided a special telephone number for booking.
Two pro-divorce lobby groups – Yes for Divorce and StandUp – criticised the government for making the travel arrangements known to the public too late in the day. Voters are being given half the notice (18 days) they were given for the 2003 EU accession referendum, when cheap flights were announced 32 days before voting day. However, they were given the same notice for the 2004 MEP elections.
A man who lives in London said: “It doesn’t help that the announcement (of the cheap flights) was made at the last minute but I feel quite strongly about the issue and want to have my say, so it’s not a matter of getting a cheap holiday home,” he said.
He pointed out that he was lucky as he could take leave during the week but knew people, like teachers, whose job did not allow them leave during the week. They would have problems collecting their voting documents if they just came for the referendum weekend.
Yesterday the Electoral Commission announced that those living abroad would be able to cast their vote on May 21 if they could not be in Malta on May 28. The cheap travel arrangements will be valid for the period between May 18 and June 5. The extra flights to be operated by Air Malta are London Gatwick, leaving Gatwick on May 25 and returning on May 30. The Manchester flight leaves on May 26 and returns to the UK on May 29. The additional Brussels flight leaves on May 26 and returns May 31 while the flight from Luxemburg leaves on May 26 and returns May 28.
For reservations call 2364 5321 or visit the sales offices at the Malta International Airport or Victoria.