No safety issue with emergency seats

I refer to the letter by Brian J. Simmons entitled Safety Issue With Emergency Exit Seats (May 27).

Following the correspondence received from Mr Simmons last February on the allocation of emergency exit seats at check-in, Air Malta immediately contacted its ground handling supplier at Gatwick airport to investigate the claims.

On that occasion, our handling agent had blocked both rows nine and 10 for able-bodied passengers. Emergency exits and legroom seats are only available in row 10.

Thus there was never any safety issue with emergency seats. Irrespective of any seats assigned at the check-in stage, the cabin crew on board the aircraft are always empowered to change a passenger’s seat due to operational or safety matters.

Passengers can thus rest assured that emergency exit seats are only given to able-bodied passengers.

Mr Simmons can rest assured that at Air Malta , safety is our top priority and the airline leaves no stone unturned in this regard. Air Malta’s safety record is second to none and allegations of lack of safety are – to the say the least – irresponsible.