Adds statement by Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry
A strike by Air Malta pilots will put the company, the airline's entire workforce and the employment of thousands in the tourism industry at risk, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association said.
In a statement this morning, the MHRA said it was extremely concerned about the threat of industrial action by the Association of the Air Malta Pilots as this could have devastating results during what is considered to be a peak period for the tourism industry.
"The threat itself creates uncertainty amongst potential customers, who will think twice before booking with Air Malta."
The MHRA said:
"Industrial action in the prevailing circumstances carries a huge responsibility and as such should not be taken lightly.
"The MHRA appeals to ALPA to reconsider its position and to pursue its claims through constructive discussions."
The association said the Air Malta process had now reached a very important juncture which called for all stakeholders to work collectively with the government in an effort to place Air the airline on a solid footing, even though the government kept most of the stakeholders in the dark about the restructuring process.
"A lot has been said about Air Malta's current state of affairs and blame goes to the politicians who over the years interfered and took decisions for Air Malta where and when they shouldn't and did not when they should have.
"Ultimately Government will have to shoulder the responsibility for Air Malta. That Air Malta is in the state it is in today is also due to other compounding factors. But we cannot undo the past and we now need to look forward."
The MHRA said that given the strategic importance of Air Malta to tourism, the airline had to, not just survive, but also maintain seat capacity at levels similar to those it registered to date.
"We also need to ensure that parallel efforts are in place to at least retain the overall seat capacity needed to sustain the industry.
"Short of this, tourism will shrink, hotels will be constrained to cut back and others to close down, and so will other businesses that depend on this industry, whilst jobs will be lost."
The MHRA said that millions of euros of investment were at risk, and more millions of euros in taxes and VAT would be lost by the government if there was a downturn in tourism.
"One cannot underestimate the impact that a downturn will have on the whole nation's finances.
"The stakes are very high, and we need to work together to see how best we can put Air Malta back on its feet in the shortest time possible," the MHRA said.
CHAMBER SHARES MHRA'S CONCERN
The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry said it shared the MHRA’s grave concern regarding the possible devastating effects of the irresponsible industrial action.
“It is most unfortunate that, throughout the years, political motivation has often prevailed over economic logic in the running of Air Malta.
“This resulted in accumulated losses that have brought the airline to an unsustainable point.
“Whilst ALPA is justified in pointing this out, it is being most irresponsible by threatening a strike that will paralyse access in and out of the country and at the height of the tourism season.
“This could place hundreds of jobs at risk throughout the entire economy - in sectors which are intrinsically linked to tourism.
“Further jobs could be lost in manufacturing, retail and financial intermediation - not to mention tourism and the airline itself,” the Chamber said.
It said that ALPA’s declared action was ill-timed and disproportionate.
“Therefore, it is deemed most irresponsible because the risks it poses on the entire country are far too large.
“Air Malta’s pilots must defend their position but act in a manner that allows the airline to survive. They must not be short-sighted and resort to the negotiating table in an effort to unblock the situation through reason rather than destruction,” the Chamber said.