Updated - Air Malta: Strike may cause airline to collapse
Updated - Adds statement by engineers' union -
Air Malta warned in a judicial protest today that it may have to permanently stop operations if a threatened pilots' strike goes ahead.
In a judicial protest filed against the Association of Airline Pilots (ALPA), the airline said that should its flights be stopped by the strike, it would incur enormous costs and there would be a clear and imminent danger of it having to stop operations.
ALPA has said it will decide by Wednesday whether to go ahead with the strike on Saturday. Some 57 pilots are expected to be dismissed as part of the airline restructuring - which will see a total of 511 staff members lose their job. The pilots insist that there are many other measures which the airline may take to reduce costs.
The airline insisted that the threatened industrial action was not legitimate since the association had not registered an industrial dispute and its claims - made in the media - did not constitute a dispute in terms of the law on industrial relations. Furthermore such claims could not be accepted by the airline, other than that it was already in talks to change contracts for services.
The airline pointed out that it was undergoing restructuring at a time when its survival and the jobs of all its employees were in danger. Should the strike go ahead, this danger would become imminent.
The airline also insisted that it was respecting its obligations in terms of the law.
The airline warned that should it collapse, the consequences would ripple far beyond the company.
The actions being threatened by the pilots were without justification, that were disproportionate and would endanger the jobs of thousands, the airline said.
The airline therefore called on Alpa to desist from calling the strike.
Engineers undecided about demo
The Association of Airline Engineers (AAE) Malta, in a statement this afternoon, said it is holding talks with Air Malta management aimed at finding solutions to the many problems the company is facing.
"These discussions are still at the very earliest stages. The Association has made it clear that it does not believe that dismissing employees can solve the company's problems or make up for bad management decisions in the past".
The union said that over the years, one-sided commercial contracts had crippled the airline almost out of existence.
"The Association wants to see Air Malta management be proactive and aggressive on renegotiating its commercial contracts and restoring the Company to profitability."
The AAE said it would continue to work within the FORUM and with other Air Malta unions to find the best solution for all employees. It said that contrary to reports, no final decision has been taken about joining the pilots' demonstration on Friday.
Last Saturday a spokesman for the union told The Sunday Times that members had not authorised the union to participate in the demonstration unless the pilots withdrew the threat to strike.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
151 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Mr Alex Ellul
Jul 12th 2011, 22:40
Pilots can afford to strike. Once Air Malta breaths its last, these pilots would easily find a job with the airlines taking over Air Malta's routes. But how about the other lesser mortals? The pilot's union is INMO behaving in an egoistic way and I believe that it will see the light before it is too late.
Joseph Goerge Borg
Jul 11th 2011, 21:27
Mr Lusignan Would you believe me if I tell you that few years ago a pilot o a commercial airline insisted that he would not take on board a medical bag containing a heart to be transplanted? That is why we need a national airline. Also please read Mr Grech's comments.
John Lusignan
Jul 12th 2011, 22:26
I am sure that there will be rare circumstances where this may happen, yet my comment that we (health department) could for example operate an air ambulance to cater for such medical/emergency requirements without the need to have an entire airline costing the tax payer huge amounts of money is still valid. As for Mr. Grechs comments I fully agree that huge mistakes were made managing air Malta, but this is the result of Air Malta being a state company. State companies are bound to fail due to political interference and interests whatever party is in government. This is why governments should not be running companies and why I favor privatization.
Billie Watson
Jul 11th 2011, 20:43
I bet all the cheap airlines are enjoying this, especially when they read that a strike could cripple AirMalta for good, this is exactly what they want.
martin said
Jul 11th 2011, 20:35
Has it ever crossed ALPA's mind to offer a reduction of wages to ALL pilots in proportion to what KM is ready
to pay out for pilots and get an increase through time in proportion to pilots that retire or shift airline.
If the wages I heard of are true, and I stand to be corrected, none of these pilots will die of hunger.
If they cant come up with this I am sorry to say that everybody fends for himself and PLEASE do not call yourself a UNION if you understand the meaning of the word.
T Mifsud
Jul 11th 2011, 23:17
Neither minimum wage earners die of hunger. You should go on minimum wage and do the same job as you do.
An airline pilot is a highly specialised international profession and airlines will pay higher than industry standard salaries to take you. These airmalta pilots can be employed elsewhere in no time except that it will uproot all the family for guys living here.
They should get paid industry standard wages.
Joseph Vassallo
Jul 12th 2011, 07:47
Are you living in cuckoo land Mr Said? That's exactly what the pilots have been doing for years in order to avoid, not pilot redundancies, but lower-grade-workers' redundancies. Wake up and smell the coffee sir. I am not a pilot, by the way, but I do take a minor interest in the goings-on at Air Malta.
Mr robert micallef
Jul 11th 2011, 20:10
its too late, Air Malta will in my opinion soon run out of money. the fear of the strike is the last straw. Now people, me included will be afraid to buy flights due to being afraid that the company will go bankrupt or fold.
the threat of the strike was the worst thing possible because it will really affect sales.
Marco Lucia
Jul 11th 2011, 23:46
1. I can't understand your theory even after I read it three times.
2. If you mean a cut in salary, from May 2004 for 3 years and 2 months pilots had a salary reduction. What is their incentive to do it again? Was there any outcome to this saga?
3. Whatever your salary, you 'expand' into it. A reduction to any salary will result in financial pressure on the individual.
Gerry Cowie
Jul 11th 2011, 20:06
Can Malta truly afford a national airline? Even British Airways has gone in with Iberia of Spain. It is a luxury or a necessity? Time to cut the politics and look at whether this national treasure is really affordable, much as we would all like to see it remain, myself included.
Mr mark johnson
Jul 11th 2011, 20:58
British Airways was privatised in 1986.
Helen Fenech
Jul 12th 2011, 16:24
I couldnt agree with you more !
Joe Grech
Jul 11th 2011, 20:05
Air Malta top management started training a group of new pilots just two years ago. These young people gave up the employment they had to take up the pilots' course.
Now they are being just thrown away as if they do not exist! Was it civil, ethical, good management on the part of Air Malta top management (sic!) to act in this irresponsible manner? Hopefully the Minister will answer that question!
The present administration - and other preceding P.N. administrations - are in my opinion equally responsible for the critical Air Malta situation. The relevant Ministers simply ignored the red signs perhaps hoping that Air Malta would continue existing until the next election - so that the hot spot would land into the lap of the incoming P.L. government. That's what people are saying and it really might have happened that way despite the ''We Really Care'' assertions!
Crass inefficiency and irresponsibility are the roots of the Air Malta crisis.
T Mifsud
Jul 11th 2011, 20:03
I hope that a new airline rid of government interference resurfaces!
I hope that it will take and employ the best people from AirMalta.
I hope that the CEO who was brought here as an EXECUTIONER is sent away asap!
John Lusignan
Jul 11th 2011, 19:29
Dear Mr. George Borg. I ask with the deepest respect for your opinion, but can you please explain why we need a national public run airline?
L GRECH
Jul 11th 2011, 20:06
if you haven't arrived at an answer on this, you should go back to school.
Because
1 we are an island and we need secure connections with the mainland.
2. because we cannot be at the mercy of LCCs who will disappear as soon as the subsidies dry up.
3. because everyone has a national airline, so why shouldn't we.
4. who will carry cargo, stretcher cases, incubators. Any suggestions.
John Lusignan
Jul 11th 2011, 21:06
School is for people like you who still think governments should run companies. Governments should be nothing but public administrators. You really think that if air Malta ceases to exist no one will operate the routes to the mainland? That is laughable! We are not at the mercy of LCC's - we are at the mercy of air Malta. In trying to protect air Malta we have kept away the true potential of true open and free competition. With just 1 ryanair plane based in Malta we have had record tourism years..... imagine if we didn't put spokes in ryanairs wheels when they wanted to base 8 planes Malta. National airlines are fast becoming a thing of the past if you haven't realized, and there is no need to have a 'national airline' just for nationalistic overtones and pride! Who will carry cargo?? What a question?? Again you think that the private industry / investors wont jump in and provide such a service?? Demand creates supply - maybe you should be going to school too. As for stretcher cases, incubators etc there is certainly no need to run an entire airlines losing us millions for such cases. We could for example operate an air ambulance which would cost a fraction - honestly it would cost us a lot less to pay for these services privately without the need to have an entire airline costing the tax payer huge amounts of money! How is that for ideas or are you so politically blinded or do you have personal interests that you couldn't possibly think of such simple solutions yourself?
Mr mark johnson
Jul 11th 2011, 21:24
The UK does not.
BA was privatised in 86.
Mr Fenech MD
Jul 11th 2011, 19:27
Jekk l-AirMalta ma tistax tghaddi minghajr dawn il-pilots meta jaghmlu strike, kif ser tghaddi minghajrhom meta tkeccihom?????
Mr Dave Smith
Jul 11th 2011, 21:00
Belgum. NO national airline because Niki Lauda went to the gnomes of Zurich and had Sabina Airways shut down,
due to unfair competition allegedly
Ivan Attard
Jul 11th 2011, 21:33
...ghax hemm HAFNA aktar milli l-Airmalta ghandha bzonn u qed ippappuha (jew jerdghawla demma) minhabba il-politikanti passati u prezenti li dejjem gew jaqaw u jqumu mil-gid nazzjonali hlief l-interessi taghhom u tal-klikek taghhom!
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 11th 2011, 21:44
tghaddi b'kemm hemm bzonn....
Tifhem bil-malti?
Joseph Goerge Borg
Jul 11th 2011, 18:53
One must admit that MALTA needs a National Airline. May be there is a solution, if say an issue of shares will be called up of say a minimum of Euro 2000 may be enough breadth will be pumped in. But and it is a big BUT, the airline must be run on very commercial basis. Every job even of a cleaner must be advertised and sieved thru by a special board. Also a fixed number of employees, numerus clausus must be enforced.
Anthony Busuttil
Jul 11th 2011, 18:50
It seems what the goverment want, a carbon copy of sea Malta
Mr francis darmanin
Jul 11th 2011, 18:41
If the pilots do not strike KM will still be sacking 50 % of its workforce anyway. But will it be cutting 50 % of all its other unnecessary costs (the ones revealed by ALPA)?? Why did it have to be ALPA to bring up these serious matters that should have been investigated years ago??
How come no MP's are saying anything about this? Could it be they have shares in MIA and are afraid of the consequences of MIA losing out on lucrative deals? When MIA was privatised did not anybody have the insight to realise the implication of an island like ours giving over an airport to the private sector?
It is not the pilots who are bringing this airline down but the people (politicans and bussinesses) who will bend over backwards to snatch all Government assets out of the people's hands.
These people do not want monopolies as long as it's not their own private monopoly. Then it's OK.
Did we not have enough examples already.
And the million dollar question.. will the new CEO of KM still get his fat salary if the company closes?? or is it guarentaeed by Government. Can some MP please wake up to ask this question?
Mr Dave Smith
Jul 11th 2011, 19:31
Because Francis the guys at the sharp end ( 4ring Captains 3 ring 1st officers) in the cockpit know how many hours they are flying,how many seats are empty and how much fuel they burn.
Not the MP'S or MTA staff because they fly for free, allegedly!
rien langerveld
Jul 11th 2011, 18:13
i guess it's all a matter of how hard you are hit. I run a small company and send on average 17 persons abroad for work monthly.I always did choose the national airline to fly.however if I would have continued to do so with the ticket pricing of air Malta,these 17 and there families would have been out of an income some time ago. Due to the upcoming strike I wanted to rebook some tickets of employees in order not to be affected by the proposed strike. Air Malta did charge a fee of 120 euro to rebook.bringing these people back with Ryan air (new ticket) coated 47 euro.
Now tell me what do I do support an inefficient airline and go broke,or do the sensible thing and make sure my company runs cost effective and keep my people working?
Further more I travelled with my family of 3 to the Netherlands last month,the price of 3 tickets with Ryan air was equal to one ticket with air Malta.
There is a reason why this airline is in trouble,i really would like to keep on using the national airline,but it has to be possible as well
Rien Langerveld
Mr Dave Smith
Jul 11th 2011, 18:37
Rien, Pls read my comments below.
I use KLM thro' Schipol, reliable service to Edinburgh, fom Singapore and Manila or have times changed,
OK paying myself (Mrs Smith booking)use Emerate via Larnica pain but easy on the Visa card!
Your opinion please
Dave
rien langerveld
Jul 11th 2011, 19:07
thanks Dave,there are alternatives if you look.
Peter Pace O'Shea
Jul 11th 2011, 18:05
The financial situation Air Malta is in, puts us in a very serious situation at a macro economic level. Greece found itself in a very serious financial postion and the EU members, including us, little Malta, had to fork out finance 'on loan' to help Greece come out of its mess. Which makes me wonder how they ever had their financial bench marks in order to have joined the EU.
The local government should seek help from the EU members as well, as although this is not a budget deficit situation, the final outcome if we someone does not help us resuce Air Malta will be across the economy and fueled by a negative multiplier effect.
Air Malta is like an artery to the Maltese Economy and the government should ensure that it continues to exist.
Mr mark johnson
Jul 12th 2011, 07:50
Massive conflict for PN.
They want votes and cant afford to sack staff but cant afford not to sack staff to save the airline.
Right now they are in shock/denial.
Michael Magri
Jul 11th 2011, 17:34
Il-mistoqsijiet tieghu u ta hafna ohrajn bhali, huma dawn..
*X`verament qieghed jinhema fil-management il-gdid ta l-Air Malta ghall-Air Malta..??
*Ghaliex m`ahniex inkunu sincieri mal-union tal-Piloti u mal-Poplu `n-generali..??
*X`hemm xi jzomm lil dan il-management biex jiltaqa madwar mejda ma din l-istess union..??
*Ghaliex twassalna f`dan li stat ta tehddid bil-qrati u biza bill babaw..??
*Ghaliex issa f`daqqa wahda sibna l-pozizzjoni biex ninqdew bil-union ta l-enginiera biex napplikaw il-
moqzieza loghoba ta `Ifred u Saltan..??
*Ghaliex it-tort kollu tad-DIZAZTRU finanzjarju fit-tmexxijja ta l-Air Malta, u l-istess eziztenza taghha, qed
jigi kollu IPPUNTAT lejn il-union tal-piloti,,??
*Ghaliex min fil-passat ghamel il-frejjeg ma jinzammux personalment responsabbli, u ma jigiex
mitlub/jew mitluba jghamlu tajjeb ghall dan il-fjask..??
**Fuq kollox.. Qatt saru xi nkjesti biex naraw il-flus ta dawn l-investimenti vroma ta l-Air Malta fejn
verament iddewbu u sparixxew..??
*** Mela.. Allura, jekk ahna verament sincieri u rridu nsalvaw l-Air Malta, (..l-unika Gojjell Nazzjonali li baqghalna..), mhux ahjar IMMEWTU din it-tensjoni madwar mejda ma DAWK KOLLHA `KKONCERNATI, (Management, MIA, Unions, etc..), flok ma `mmewtu` l-Air Malta, u nsibu s-soluzzjonijiet ghal gid taghna lkoll u ta dan l-istess Imbierek Pajjijzna...??!!??!!
Nistennew u Naraw......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mon Swinger
Jul 11th 2011, 17:28
Have just finished reading a comprehensive history of Air Malta.
It has and still is, being run like a bakery.
With a management and shareholder proud of it's visions and apparitions, that won't change much.
Many Airlines in the UK have been turned around but there was a huge mentality shift and lots business and commercial strategies were put in place. Whoever is interested in AM has not seen any of this after lots of talking, studying, checking and more studying.
When a crash is inevitable you just take action and hit the brakes, not look back to read the road signs. The government has shifted the gears to neutral instead of hitting the brakes and is steadying himself for the imminent impact. That's all.
All you laymen who think that it's the pilots that will sink the company, think again. And all those who say the pilots are digging their grave, they might be actually building the stairway to heaven.....
Air Malta management and all stakeholders involved, get down to the negotiating table with them as THEY are the only people you can talk to FREE OF CHARGE. And they are giving you some good advice.
Monique, London
C. Vella
Jul 11th 2011, 17:45
thumbs up
T Mifsud
Jul 11th 2011, 19:58
Exactly!
Ramon Micallef
Jul 11th 2011, 20:21
like, like, like
Joseph Vassallo
Jul 12th 2011, 08:29
Ms Swinger; It is very presumptuous of you to say you have read a COMPREHENSIVE history of Air Malta as that would entail studying 40+ years of accounts if you are going to comment on the modus operandi from Mintoff's days. Have you ever seen a set of Air Malta accounts and comprehended how complex they have been throughout?
Don't try to kid us or yourself; at least tell us what qualifies you to study Air Malta in a few days, given that your recent comments made no reference to any ongoing study. Apparently you haven't understood anything other than the fact that airline pilots earn more money than you do. BTW, I am not an airline pilot.
We "laymen" may have a far better understanding of the situation since we were here when it all started whereas you "professional woman" has apparently not. So what makes you "not a layman"? Pray, do tell Ms Swinger. I'm not really clairvoyant but you sound to me like a business course student with major expectations who thinks she has it all sussed out.
We "laymen" do not blame the situation on the pilots at all and that alone should tell you how poor a grasp you have, despite your COMPREHENSIVE study of this "bakery".
Mr Joseph Brincat
Jul 11th 2011, 17:20
UP DATED :-
AIR MALTA STRIKE MY CAUSE AIRLINE TO COLLAPSE,
IF IT SO , THEN THERE IS NO FUTURE FOR AIR MALTA
NO MATTER WHAT IF THEY STRIKE OR NOT ! ! ! ! !
Alfred Fenech
Jul 11th 2011, 17:06
So now it will be the fault of the pilots should they go out on strike. The company has been manipulated all these years, but if it sinks, its the good pilots and loyal staff that sink it. What a comedy.
Mr Dave Smith
Jul 11th 2011, 17:00
As a very frequent flying passenger I have never heard a bad word about the ground staff, cabin staff, pilots attitude or service. Our visitors to Malta specify Air Malta as a matter of course and are happy to pay a little extra more than budget carriers.
I recall an advert for qualified pilots a couple of years ago in "The Times Of Malta" by Air Malta and the renumeration for pilots was less than that of a mail aircraft pilot trying to build up his hours.
Who's dropped the ball?
You know the old pilots saying guys, if in doubt bail out. Good Luck!
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 16:56
Mr Denis Pace pity no one sent for you to advise them before setting up any airline.
Mr Joseph E Briffa
Jul 11th 2011, 15:55
As far as I know, if one is in any company's employ and feels that the company is not being managed the way they would like. they would not go on strike. They simply resign and leave. An employee is not part of management and doesn't carry the responsibility of managing the company. No company can force an employee to carry on working for it, the most the company can do is penalise the employee for breaking a contract of service, according to the terms of the contract e.g. giving advance notice, serving for a number of years. No employee is managemnt, pilots are employees not management, cabin crew are employees not management, the same goes for office staff and ground handling staff. No employee can force a company to manage things the way they want; disagreeing with the way a company is being managed does not empower an employee to strike. If any employee disagrees with the way the company is being run, there is only one option for that employee. Pack up and leave.
Lino Busuttil
Jul 11th 2011, 21:06
You are definetly out of line. Employees have a right to strike and Malta is not a Fascist country as far as I know!
In this country there is no REGULATOR- MTA? (CAA in England investigates such complaints againbst AIrport companies at the first sight of a complaint), there is no SERIOUS GOVERNMENT, there are few HONEST MANAGERS, and many smart BUSINNESSMEN with biparty contacts, there are a lot of STINKING contracts, but you know what MR Briffa, there are too many people like you ready to defend the STATUS QUO because they must be making millions out of the current situation out of a BUNKRUPT company or they are simply idiots who impress themselves too much with politicians talk.
Lino Busuttil
Jul 11th 2011, 23:38
They earned the right to oversee management smart guy, cause they were asked for the Lion's share last time and they obliged.
Mr Daniel Jones
Jul 11th 2011, 15:49
So the pilots are striking because 57 will be made redundant. If they strike, it seems that instead of some of them being out of a job, all of them will be.
Clever thinking indeed. And these people fly planes.
T Mifsud
Jul 11th 2011, 19:57
Daniel Jones you are at least 5 days behind in the news. No the pilots are not striking because of the 57.
They are striking because the government is REFUSING to deal with the major problems. Firing the 57 and the 511 wont make a difference. The people want the government to deal with the biggest fish first not the smallest tadpole!
John Lusignan
Jul 11th 2011, 15:43
If the pilots think they are doing any good - think again! Need to travel later this week and instead of booking air Malta I just booked easy jet due to the uncertainty you are creating. Dear pilots you are digging your own graves with your irresponsible action!!! I am sure that thousands of others have done as I have and have booked alternative airlines or have just cancelled their vacations to Malta! No one is indispensable in life..... Air Malta isnt and the pilots certainly aren't either!
Randolph Said
Jul 11th 2011, 15:34
The airline will only recover if and when the government has no say in it whatsoever! We have a clear example with the shipyards, following years of political mismanagement Palumbo turned the shipyard in the right direction. Same with Airmalta must happen otherwise it will collapse.
The only way forward is privatisation Mr Government!
Peter Busuttil
Jul 11th 2011, 15:31
Let me start by saying that I am neither for nor against ALPA's strike. But saying that if the strike goes ahead, Air Malta would have to permanently stop operations, to me sounds rather extreme. When volcanic ash caused havoc with our airline's operations last year, did Air Malta cease to exist? Is this the best that Air Malta "new" management could come up with? Is coming up with this "plan" the reason why €450,000 will be paid to the new CEO? Not even a "cuc Malti" would resort to this!
Mr Joseph Calleja
Jul 11th 2011, 15:26
The writing is on the wall and there isn't much we can do unless the management and all the unions get together and figure a way out. Although it might help put another nail in the coffin the one day strike, will not put Air Malta out of business yet. What is happening right now did not just happen, it has been building up for the last 8 or 10 years but the government, the management, the unions and some of the associated contractors, yes and including some of the employees, all decided to ignore that fact and they all kept feasting on the ailing airline. Like they say in Maltese " Ma baqax pappa" no more gravy left. We all have to face the facts, the airline has to be trimmed way back and that means people have to go, there is no other choice other than to close down the airline. The time of abusing Air Malta is gone, the time of over hiring is gone, the abundant perks (freebie tickets) are hopefully gone, the political perks are gone, and using Air Malta as a political tool (as has happened in the last referendum) is gone. All Unions must realize that some employees have to be cut; pointing fingers now is a bit too late. All in all nobody has even mentioned the most important factor, and that is the passenger. Where do passengers fit in all of this? Anybody cares? Empty seats cannot sustain the airline either. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, and mine is that no matter what, Air Malta will never be the same again. I was always of the idea that the only thing that will save Air Malta is to privatize it so it can be run as a business. You cannot have a boy to do a man's job and that is exactly what the government has been doing with Air Malta. I also think that ALPA and or any other union will be foolish to strike against the ailing airline right now. Only time will tell the full story but it is about time to find me a reliable airline that will be there when I need it. All I am looking for in an airline is safety and leaving and getting from point A to point B on time.
Mr Emanuel Curmi
Jul 11th 2011, 17:30
Fully concur. ALPA may be justified in their claims but definitely not grounding the airline. No wonder other unions are keeping their distance from this course of action. The airline, in its present structure, simply cannot be sustained and keeping it going simply as a national prestige object is an expensive & unrealistic exercise. Privatization would have made all the difference but the public outcry would have been too great (and still is) and carrying over the present contractual burdens wood has made it a risky investment anyway.
Looking at the matter realistically, turning the airline around is hardly possible and ALPA's action will simply be the catalyst for the final coup de grace.
Fact is Air Malta never gave its best employees their due merits and giving out promotions was always a political game. A company, run on this philosophy can never be successful. The first ones to endorse this are the Airmalta employees themselves, which brings us to an important question ' do we really want this to go on?'
Mr Joseph Calleja
Jul 11th 2011, 18:08
Two points you mentioned tells the whole story.
1. "keeping it going simply as a national prestige object is an expensive & unrealistic exercise"
2. "Fact is Air Malta never gave its best employees their due merits and giving out promotions was always a political game.
And that is why the government has no business of running an airline that they know nothing about. No matter which way it goes, the public outcry is going to be there. We are never satisfied, no matter what!
Steve Attard
Jul 11th 2011, 15:15
A company have the rights to dismiss any one for the good or the bad.
Nathalie Frendo
Jul 11th 2011, 15:03
Just what do the pilots calling this strike think they are doing? What is their agenda? Do they really believe that the trouble in airmalta is caused because of the charges that the company incurrs by MIA? Do these veteran captains think that they are helping the rest of the employees by so doing. Their days are almost over anyway and they are acting in the most selfish of ways. A company that is on the verge of collapse does not need such blockheads for survival. On the other hand as a taxpayer I have no intention of forking out money to subsidise a failling lot. If the days of the airline are over let us try to save what can be saved and stop acting as little kids. For the small fleet of aeroplanes that we ahve I do not see how we do need all those pilots anyway.
J. Sultana
Jul 11th 2011, 15:56
If you read ALL that the pilots have been saying (and not just the part which some media sections chose to report) you will discover that it is not just the MIA charges they are complaining about. They are complaining that cargo agents are making huge profits from what customers pay them and in turn they only pay a measly sum to Airmalta, they are hinting that part of the 52 million "loan" by the government went to repay BOV loans when the restructuring report had clearly stated that these loans should be extended and not repayed (of course, the fact that the government put the BOV chairman on the board of directors of Airmalta has nothing to do with it), that there are certain individuals who are making good money (such as from the lease of the Airbus), that there are people waiting to take over Airmalta for free by what they could claim), etc etc.
With your reasoning that the MIA charges are not the cause of Airmalta`s state, well then there is no need to sack the workers because their wages is not the problem either . Last financial year Airmalta lost 110 million ... the total wages of all employees is less than third of that sum, so if the employees were to work a whole year without pay the company would still lose big money !
C Gauci
Jul 11th 2011, 16:44
Ms Frendo, It's not the number of Pilots that YOU THINK is required, but the number of Pilots that the fleet actually needs to operate SAFELY and efficiently. Industry standard is 12 Pilots per Plane.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 16:54
Nathalie Frendo do you have proof to the contrary?
"On the other hand as a taxpayer I have no intention of forking out money to subsidise a failling lot."
But you have to put your hands in your pocket because GONEZI promised the eu that apart from the money already given to Greece, Ireland and Portugal he guaranteed a contribution of €500 MILLION for the emergency eu fund which the eu had doubled and has now doubled again. So you will have to make good on GONEZI's promise by putting your hand in your pockets if one of them defaults and they are going to default or if they need bail out
Have a look at the international media on the euro crisis Nathalie Frendo. To help you, you can go to http://www.eupettydictators.webs.com/ and visit the various links pages where you will find out how the euro crisis developed since last year through links in the international media. Go on Nathalie Frendo. Go see them.
Jon Vercellono
Jul 11th 2011, 17:04
Ms. Frendo, I'm very sorry, but you sound like the response to a Ministry of Finance soundbyte. You are reciting exactly what people want you to repeat without actually thinking about the situation yourself. Put yourself in their shoes; and finally have some respect for a truly Maltese product which represents Malta throughout the world. Ms. Frendo I encourage you to see what actually is on the government's agenda and not the captains' agendas - where there is a will there is a way - why are we not getting facts and figures from those in authority.
Mr twanny borg
Jul 11th 2011, 15:02
hemm pilota zejda jew le? min se jiddeciedi jekk hemmx piloti zejda l-kumpanija jew il-piloti? ghax donnu dawn iridu jiddeciedu huma. it-thabbira tal-istrajk minn qabel qed thalli aktar telf lill-airmalta u ghalxejn iharsu lejn il-passat. minn dawn il-piloti hemm min ghandu 90,000 euro fis-sena. hekk sewwa sakemm isir it-telf u kulhadd ipappiha kollox sew issa ghax ser isir xi haga biex din tqum fuq saqaja ser isir strajk. il-haddiem bil-paga minima ihallas ghal dawn il-pagi enormi mit-taxxi ghas-sussidju tal-piloti u transport taghhom ghax xoghol u minn fuq irid ihallas biljetti gholja biex isiefer. l-istess mhux sewwa li dawn igawdu minn skemi tal-irtirar b'eluf ta' euros waqt li l-haddiem daqqa ta' sieq u 'l barra. ghandu xorti jekk jiehu l-ahhar paga! jekk kien hemm min telaq qabel u ma stenniex ghal dawn l-iskemi kien biss ghax jaqblilhom fil-mument. dan strajk tas-sinjuri ghas-sinjuri u hadd mhux se jarani b'nemes.
John Pecorella
Jul 11th 2011, 15:29
Sa fejn naf jien bniedem fuq paga minima ma jhallas taxxi.
Ir-raguni li ALPA ser twaqqaf lil membri taghha milli jahdmu hija wahda, L-ewwel il gvern ghandu jirranga il pastazati ta kuntratti u dberbiq ta' flus ghand il-hbieb tal-hbieb, imbaghad, jekk dan kollu kien ghalxejn, IVA jibda jehles min kull min hu zejjed.
Ron Cassar
Jul 11th 2011, 16:54
wiehed dejjem jista' jghid il-hrejjef...fl-ahhar isiru verita
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 16:55
Mr twanny borg, Nathalie Frendo kemm ikun hemm bżonn piloti jiddeċiduhom ir-regolamenti internazzjonali u la l-Air Malta, la l-Piloti u lanqas inthom.
Mr twanny borg
Jul 11th 2011, 19:49
@john pecorella. possibbli ma tafx li min huwa fuq paga minima ihallas it-taxxa? anki biex imur ghax-xoghol petrol irid ihallas it-taxxa u kull haga ohra. kif taghmel bicca overtime trid thallas l-istess u fuq miljun haga ohra. x'ghandu x'jaqsam il-kuntratti? hemm pilota zejda jew le? 157 ghal tnax il-ajruplan. jekk hemm kuntratti hziena u tberbiq ta' flus iridu jigu indirzzata fl-istess hin li jehles minn kull min huwa zejjed. haga ma tiggustifikax ohra.
@tony camilleri. il-piloti qed jippretendu li jiddecieduhom huma billi jibqghu hemm. jekk mhux hekk ghandhom jghidu l-verita u jammettu li hemm zejda u mhux jaghmlu strajk li se jzarma l-airmalta u telfien ta' impjiegi. jekk hemm zejda aktar milli jghidu r-reglamenti ghandhom jitilqghu u mhux jaghmlu strajk biex jikrolla kollox meta suppost qed jitrangaw l-affarijiet. jekk qed tahseb li n-nies bahnana sejjer zball ghax jafu li n-nies zejda tiddeciedi l-kumpanija u min qed ihallas it-taxxi ghalxejn u mhux il-piloti kif qed jippretendu. sar gideb ukoll li l-mia tiehu l-flus mill-airmalta meta dan mhux veru ghax il-flus jittiehdu minghand il-passiggier li juza l-ajruport.
dawn huma l-hrejjef sur ron cassar.
Joseph Vassallo
Jul 12th 2011, 08:44
Sur twanny Borg, toqghod tikkonfondi xejn ghax issa jqacctu lil-bdoti u jdahhlu lix-xufiera tal-linja l-antiki minflokhom u jhallsuhom il-pagi minima. Ara naqra kemm sa jiffrankaw, e? X'tahseb?
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 14:36
What may cause the airline to collapse is your fantastic salary of €500,000 every year for three years and those of your henchmen that you employed. You are so ashamed with the salaries that you gave them that you do not want to tell us how much they are getting Davies.
Amanda Anderson
Jul 11th 2011, 14:08
As someone who flies Air Malta regularly with my family, it is sad to hear that there may be a strike. I prefer Air Malta over the other cheap airlines of course. And would choose it even if it is a bit more expensive in turn for reliability and good service. However, given these latest possibilities of strikes.. and insecurity I may well opt to go with the cheap airlines for my next visits. Unfortunately reliability is what most people seek (and are prepared to pay extra) these days so I do really hope that there is some kind of solution to the latest disputes otherwise and unfortunately I will have to go for the cheap airlines.
Thank you
Thomas Fenech
Jul 11th 2011, 15:14
Air Malta...... unfortunately, too late as the re-structuring plan should have been initiated way back in 2005 and not in August 2011. Whoever drawn up the re-structuring plan took the easiest way out for the price of Euro3million .... simplying making some 500 employees and their families redundant not to mention losing valuable assets such as Maltese pilots and engineers. What about the long term viability of the airline? For instance, could the ground operations of Air Malta be outsourced? All airline have done this exercise. Air Malta would have had the bargaining power to negotiate competitive prices; this move would have saved the jobs; and long term Air Malta would have saved money. What about Air Malta revenue accounting and other accounting activities.... why these have not been outsourced and staff taken over by the company providing the services? What about administration services? Same consideration could have been taken. The end result would have meant more than 500 employees of the Air Malta books and at the same time, safeguarding employees' jobs through outsourcing employment regulations. M. Busuttil
C Gatt
Jul 11th 2011, 14:08
It seems like political responsibility has been lacking in various issues recently, Airmalta is definitaly a case in point. There must definitaly be some truth in all the allegations being brought forward by the ALPA and we now demand clarifications. If the government has nothing to hide, then why not provide sufficient evidence and prove them wrong?
"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political and/or economic consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” Joseph Goebbels
Thomas Fenech
Jul 11th 2011, 14:55
Shame that our national airline is now in such a state. Government and its Board of Directors knew about the financial crisis way back since 2003. One need to remember that Ernst Funk, the previous CEO, was brought in for this purpose. Why appropriate corrective actions were not taken over the period of 6 to 8 years? Who is to blame?... let's stop finding the excuses about fuel prices and use scapegoats.
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 11th 2011, 15:20
Allegations????
Truth is glaring you in the face....Too many pilots for too few aircraft.
Running at a loss year after year
Heavily subsidized by our taxes
Airline clearly CANNOT COMPETE
What hidden agenda?????
Some people live on the moon
Mr Anthony Galea
Jul 11th 2011, 14:03
iI agree with Mr. Mifsud and that the BIG HEADS have been planning all along to bankrupt Air Malta and pass it on to some foreign Company ( with some other Maltese big heads sharing in.) I support Air Malta Pilots but I would like to give you my advice. DO NOT LET THE BIG HEADS take advantage of the strike and blame it on you. Tell them you are not afraid of threats but you are ready to sit around a table and find the best SAVINGS for Air malta and for no one else. In the meanitme keep the general public informed of the real problems of Air Malta and of the talks going on
brian spiteri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:59
I am against the strike action by KM pilots, instead I urge all the pilots to submit their resignation en-mass and look for pastures new. I am an ex AirMalta captain, resigned during the 2004 so called restructuring plan which I never believed that it will turn the company around. Dear colleagues, the govt and the company are taking you for a ride, do not pity the company or the country because nobody gives a damn about you, your responsibilities and all the stress that your job entails. Bloggers here say that you are overpaid, they do not have a clue about commercial pilot 's salaries, I am earning more than double that I used to earn as an AirMalta captain plus numerous perks, like a villa in a compound for expats with common pool paid by the company, free private education for the kids, water and electricity bills paid by the company, free airline tickets for me and my family, free medical care, free dental care, discounts at numerous stores and restaurants etc etc. Too many opportunities out there for you to exploit, you just have to take the plunge, just look at your future and the future of your families.
By your meagre salaries you are subsidizing the govt, the company, the corrupt sub contractors, those jealous bloggers who spit venom at you and many others.
Mr joe vella
Jul 11th 2011, 14:47
are there enough jobs with emirates, etihad and qatar airlines to take all the airmalta pilots should they resign en masse?
quite a number have tried but not too many succeeded, and opportunities on mainland europe are scarce and even more difficult to get
it is not as easy and a garden of eden as you make it look mr spiteri, esp if you have family and other commitments
agree there are greener pastures and these may be ok for some people, but not everybody is willing to live in a middle eastern country, in what is after all an artificial life form, as you say in a dedicated compound and at an ambient temperature of 45+ deg C most of the time (god help you all if the air conditioner breaks down!!)
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 11th 2011, 15:22
well said.
Too many fish in this little pond.
Look for the ocean
Mr J Busuttil
Jul 11th 2011, 15:39
Cpt Brian Spiteri, I do not agree with you r- resignation en-mass but I must admit that this is the best blog ever posted as regards to the AirMalta issue. Prosit.
Mr Joe Cardona
Jul 11th 2011, 13:49
Kif sirna illum. ma tistax tordna strajk ghax jhedduk li jaghlqu il-kumpanija.
Jien nahseb li dak hu ittir wra kollox li jaghlqu l-Air Malta. Skuza fil-but u b'hekk ikun irnexxielhom jerqirdu kwazi kull ma ghamel il-Partit Laburista taht it-tmexxija tal-Perit Dom Mintoff u b'hekk ma jibqa' xejn ta' dawk l-hekk imsejha CWIEC MALTIN.
Hemm bzonn li l-poplu iqum fuq tieghu u jghid DAQSHEKK u jwarrab lil GonziPN darba ghal dejjem.
George Gauci
Jul 11th 2011, 13:56
By shooting the "bird" ALPA would be shooting the pilots in the legs. G. Gauci
Albert Debono
Jul 11th 2011, 14:13
illum sirma kulhadd jifhem f kollox zgur!
Mr M Mamo
Jul 11th 2011, 14:21
mux l-Air Malta qed thedded li tghalaq imma l-finanzi - strike fdaz-zmien = falliment tal-air malta ... kulhadd jaf x'gara fis-Sea Malta uwx?! dik ma kinitx theddida imma realta li grat wara strike
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 11th 2011, 15:23
Sur Cardona
Ghal pika partiggjana, lest tipperikola l-ghixien ta' bosta haddiema, specjalment fis-settur turistiku.
Isthi...
Kwistjoni bhal di trid ghaqda u decizjoni....ghalkemm iebsa...imma gusta
Robert Henry Bugeja
Jul 11th 2011, 13:32
Ejja ma nippruvawx nilghabuha tal innocenti issa u nippruvaw nitfaw il htija fuq il Pilots. Il kumpanija tisab f'dan l-istadju disaztrus mhux minhabba il pilots u l'anqas minhabba il haddiema izda minhabba decizjonijiet traskurati li gabu lil Airmalta bhala kumpanija b'dahra mal hajt. Dawn in nies li ghamlu din it traskuragni gew imsejha biex jaghtu kont ta ghemilhom?...LE.
..Allura issa ghalfejn ser nippruvaw nwahhlu fil piloti meta dawn taw dejjem servizz tajjeb! Dawn m'ghandhomx dritt ta Strajk meta jafu il hsara min fejn hija gejja u mhux qeghda tissewwa? Jew L-istrajks huma privileggi ta certu settur ta nies? ...Nispera li jekk veru il vern ghandu ghal qalbu L-airmalta u l-haddiema jinzel madwar mejda u qabel mas sitwazzjoni tirranga ma jqumx min fuqha!
Mr SILVIO BONAVIA
Jul 11th 2011, 14:40
Naqbel mieghek mija fil-mija,pero ghal-gvern demokratiku li ghandna ma tistax tesprimi ruhek billi tistrajkja ghax tkun qed taghmel dnub mejjet u ghalieh trid toqod ghal kollox,nejd prosit lil pilots tas servizz eccellenti li dejjem taw,kuragg,ahna naghfu ta min hu it-tort,la taghkom u lanqas tal-haddiema z-zaghar ,l-huta minn rasha tinten.
Mr Joe Gatt
Jul 11th 2011, 13:30
At Times, if not Most of the Time, one has to Fight for One`s Rights.
ALPA, Stand Firm and United
Mr Victor vella
Jul 11th 2011, 13:18
This is the joke of the century. What there is to collapse when the PN regime under Gonzi already collapsed Air Malta. A strike is enough for the regime to find a good excuse to hide its incompetence, corruption and lust for power and throw its poison on ALPA to give Air Malta to already on tip toes ready to take hold of Air Malta next week.
Rocco Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 17:16
Fully agree with what you wrote Mr.Vella. This is the same way done to other assets. Mention Drydocks when a contract was taken with a great loss and then the Government pointed his fingers on the workers instead of the Management. If I am not mistaken he also brought a foreigner paid with large amounts of euro as to appear that the Government has done his utmost. The PN and the Management placed in the posts had 25 years to see about this, but did nothing not even informed us of the bad situation. SHAME of them all and they should shoulder their responsability for this mess.
Mr J Xerri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:14
Various associations and individuals are condemning A LPA threatened industrial action , yet none of these commented or condemned those who managed to ruin our National Airline and while the airline workers are worried about their bread and butter, those who ruined Airmalta are sitting pretty without any worries about their future.
Mr Charles camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:14
Instead of talking about strikes which surely will not solve any problems, it would be much wiser for the unions to undertake actions with the ETC for retraining of the redundant workers to enable them to find new jobs. In the meantime the generous redundancy payments to be given by the Government will enable them to overcome the initials problems until they are reemployed.
As in the past strikes do not solve problems.If anything they aggravate them..
Mr joe vella
Jul 11th 2011, 13:11
It is very sad to witness such a situation, air malta is now trying to shove the blame on the pilots (who appear to be the hardest hit section, even though they were the ones who were also mainly targeted when the 2003/2004 so called reforms took place) for the bad situation it now finds itself in !
have we now got to a stage where a group of workers cannot take action because they are made to feel that they are endangering the position of the company?
so are the bad decisions and political interference by a succession of ministers, and their blue eyed appointees such as the chairmen, directors and top brass to be put aside and then use the pilots association as the scapegoat?
well maybe the pilots ought to consider boycotting these people and refuse to fly if any of them is on board, maybe this could be an alternative and thus sidestep the blame game and accusations
they can they use one of the low cost airlines they helped bring in or as somebody has already done, use a friends' private plane!
wendy isaac
Jul 11th 2011, 13:10
Lets hope the airline will stop operations altogether, then i can concentrate on cheap flights with Ryanair. Your national airline's days are numbered and might as well admit it., the pilots seems to be speeding the process up after all.
J Farrugia
Jul 11th 2011, 15:20
Wendy think before you type, and how do you expect Malta to receive goods??? Fly sick persons in and out, send relief flights when acts of god happen, etc etc etc.
Were an island we need to have a national carrier for our own interests, Low cost airlines are great, but would not think twice to leave the island if a better opportunity arose, then what do you plan to do Kyak to Sicily??.
The other thing you would miss out on is interline specials with other carriers, your specials on BA to lets say the US these are joint fares shared between carriers, Also destinations for business travellers, if i want to fly to Frankfurt for a meeting i want FRA not some scabby little airport 60 miles away. Same goes for other KM destinations.
You see there's room for both types of traveller and airline, but also have a little compassion for 1300 families who might be without a job.
C. Vella
Jul 11th 2011, 17:20
Whilst I am against a strike, deep down I wonder how things will fare without the support of the national carrier.
Firstly the country would lose 55% of all its incoming tourists overnight. There is no way that the LCCs can compensate for this loss in a few months. Probably they would not be able to compensate for those numbers even in the next couple of years. The legacy carriers could maybe add some more routes but in no way would they be able to cover the whole spectrum of routes and services.
Secondly the so loved LCCs would find themselves in an advantageous position to blackmail the government for higher subsidies which would be much greater than the present €42 million a year they are being paid.
Thirdly there will be a substantial loss of basic services that LCCs do not provide such as cargo handling, invalid passengers carriage, business connections, unaccompanied minors and many more. Did you ever try to get a flight from Malta to New York connecting via Luton or some other farm-like airport in the middle of nowhere?
Mrs Isaac not everyone is driven by the urge of low fares (which in reality are heavily subsidized by us the Maltese taxpayers). Rather airmalta is the only communication link we have out of this tiny rock and it would certainly prove to be disastrous if the company stopped operations, not only for employees in the tourist industry, but to the whole of Malta. So I would like to invite persons with your same selfish creed to buy a Ryanair ticket, but please do make it a one way ticket. Enough said.
Rocco Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 17:26
Mr.Wendy you seem that already forgot what Air Malta pilots ( the Airline as a whole) did in the Libyan crisis, how many trips done to bring Maltese and foreigners out of Libya. No Low Cost airline offered to take part in this rescue as no profits were involved. Low Cost Airlines only see their interests and not our country interest. They for sure are not going to carry sick people to U K with a small charge, and probably it will have to be incured by the person involved too.
Ms G Schembri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:09
This is sheer blackmail, the management has been mismanaging for years, now they want to put the blame on the employees.
j camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 12:58
Hope there are no ARRIVA AIRLINES to replace lol !
Mr Dave Smith
Jul 11th 2011, 13:35
Would an Air Malta captain driving a bus ask the passengers to,be seated,saftey belts fastened and ensure doors closed prior to departure?
Apply Mr Bastow if you can tick the boxes.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 19:05
Yes there is. It's called Ryan Air!!!!!
E. Azzopardi
Jul 11th 2011, 12:58
We all hope it is not too late. But why didn't we take action before, way back in 2003 when the airline started making heavy losses? If you are sick you take action immediately and not after many years. Now we need drastic surgery and we do not even know if it will be a success. New way of doing politics, I suppose.
Mr Vincent Cassar
Jul 11th 2011, 13:19
Ghax Gonzi u shabu ghadu jinforrmawna li kollox se jmur sew..u bi prudenza hadd ma strikja dak in nhar. Nhar l-elezzjoni tal-2008, Gonzi baghat ittra-gidba fejn qal illi kollox se jkun sew imma kien diga jaf illi kien kollox hazin u halla kollox kif inhu!!!! Dak kien il-PM dak in-nhar mela m'hemmx skuza. X'jippretendi issa? Li nigbru il-hmieg tieghu Sur Azzopardi?? Jekk mhux kapaci jaf x'gandu jaghmel...hu u shabu!
Anthony Agius
Jul 11th 2011, 14:14
Management and Minister wanted to be given a chance to put things right. Remember Ausin Gatt's famous words? "The employees have done their share, it is now up to management and government to deliver....."
Rocco Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 17:39
Sur. Vincent Cassar. Dawn se' jibqu hemm sa' kemm igibu l-pajjiz fallut u daru mall-hajt ma' jistax jghamel aktar, bhalma gralhom pajjizi ohra. Jekk wiehed ihares lejn il-Finanzi tal-pajjiz bizzejjed u l-bini kollossali li hawn staggnat, mhux jinbiegh. Mela jigi jghidilna li kollox miexi sew. Miexi sew sabih !!!!! imma min qed jiehu l-belli euro miexi sew mhux il-pajjiz.
Mr A. Mifsud
Jul 11th 2011, 12:58
I'm afraid that with the strike happening or not Airmalta's days are counted...as the bigger playmakers in the field such as Lufthansa and Air France watch and wait. I'm sure they would relish gobbling up airmalta at a post bankrupt cost!! Perhaps the local big heads have already planned this scenario afterall. They're just playing it down that they want to save the airline...
Matthew Cachia
Jul 11th 2011, 12:58
Gurnata strike ma tkissirx kumpanija ghalxejn, u min gabha fis-sitwazzjoni li qeghda bhalissa?
Jekk l-Air Malta tghalaq tkun ghalqet habba l-farsa ta gvern li ghandna.
Marco Lucia
Jul 11th 2011, 13:07
Of course it doesn't make it collapse. Just think of last year with the Icelandic volcano grounding the vast majority of Air Malta flights at huge cost, not to mention passenger claims made in the following weeks.
Mr Jeffrey Mallia
Jul 11th 2011, 12:55
4 years ago, Airmalta employees made sucrifieces to save the airline, but ALL FOR NOTHING......STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE........stand up for your rights
Marco Lucia
Jul 11th 2011, 13:04
4 years ago? that was 2004!
7 years ago! And now employees are told to look forward, not backwards!
I am looking forward, and it doesn't look nice unless action is taken!
Thelma Cilia
Jul 11th 2011, 13:19
Sure stand up for your rights and guarantee that your and all employees jobs are lost. It is so obvious that at this point a strike is the last push to a drowning man. I do appreciate and agree that there were several transgressions in the running of Air Malta, but if there is a slight hope to save the company I believe that ALL employees should give their utmost to save it and not to destroy it.
Mr Charles camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:25
What sacrifices?? Air Malta's pay and conditions of work are amongst the best in the island. Better say that they had so good for so long. The time of pumping money to subsidies lame ducks has gone. Greece should be an eye opener to all.
Mario Ellul
Jul 11th 2011, 13:41
And some took a pay cut like the pilots and they are still on the same salary now.
Mario Ellul
Jul 11th 2011, 14:57
Maybe they'l start employing foreign pilots as they did in 1973 when the airline was set up. We gave them everything they needed. A villa, medical care, schooling for the children, etc, etc.
We should take care of our pilots and treat them properly. The company should look to invest like changing the planes and leasing bigger ones to bring more tourists in. Then they can drop the price to rock-bottom.
Mr Simon Bonello
Jul 11th 2011, 12:45
ma nistax nifhem kif f'dan il-pajjiz ax tkun ha taghmel strike qisek ha taghmel xi sagrilegg, min isegwi news fid dinja kollha jsiru strikes, l Italja ( darba fil gimgha) l-Ingilterra Spanja Franza?? fejn ma jsirux? U hawn malta xi nghidu meta kienu jintrabtu nies bil ktajjen jew jinalaq il port hieles meta Sant kien gholla dawl u l ilma? Imma donnu taht dal Gvern huwa mpossibli li taghmel xi haga simili ax malajr ipinguk qisek Satana !
Mr Charles camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:06
Simon taf il-konsegwenzi taghhom? Ara il-kumpaniji l-ohrajn ta' l-Ajru kollha xhadu bl-istrajks. Xejn ghax dak li kellu jsir xorta sar. Anzi ziedu l-gwaj. Hares lejn L-Al-Italia u l Bea. Saqsijhom x'hadu l-haddiema ta' dawn il-kumpaniji.
Ms Maria Vella
Jul 11th 2011, 13:31
just because other countries go on strike it doesn't mean that we should do so as well. Strikes of this nature will inconvenience many people who have paid for a service which they will not get.
whilst risking job loss is not something that we wish for these people, going on strike for 1 day will not give them much, definitely not sympathy from the effected passengers!
Mr Simon Bonello
Jul 11th 2011, 13:55
nifimkom it tnejn li intom u naqbel maghkom li jista jkun hemm telf ta mpjiegi, pero nirragunawa mod iehor, kieku jien jew intom konna piloti konna nistrakjaw jew konna noqodu ngibu quddiem ghajnejna il konsegwenzi li semmejtu?
Mark Galea
Jul 11th 2011, 14:15
@Mr SImon Bonello
X'hin trid tista tistrajkja ... imma imbaghad ma tistax ma iggorxx il-konsegwenzi ...
Mr Simon Bonello
Jul 11th 2011, 14:29
tahseb mark? kemm sejjer zball habib fejn nahdem jien biex geddilna l kurtratt kellna niffirmaw li ma nistax naghmlu strike !!! nacetta kelli jew nispicca bla job habib !
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 14:47
Dedicated to you Ms Maria Vella
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.
Samuel Adams, speech at the Philadelphia State House, August 1, 1776.
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Benjamin Franklin
"It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become prey to the active. The conditions upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime, and the punishment of his guilt." John Curran, July 10, 1790, in a speech about electing the Mayor of Dublin.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure. Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to William Smith, Nov. 13, 1787
Mr Simon Bonello
Jul 11th 2011, 15:41
@ Mark Galea
tahseb Mark? xi zball ghandek habib biex iggedduli l kuntratt tax xoghol kelli niffirma li lanqas f union ma nista nissieheb ahseb u ara kemm nistrajkja ! qalli jekk ma tridx taf fejn hu l bieb ta barra f din il miserja qed nghixu habib sfortunatament !!
M. Bezzina
Jul 11th 2011, 12:37
L Alitalia kienet f xifer li tfalli u strikes saru mhux wihed imma bizibilju......ghax l awtoritajiet ma jdurux mal mejda i jiddiskutu???
Mr Charles camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:20
U x'gara mill eluf ta' haddiema ta' l Alitalia.? Gew minghajr xoghol. Li-stajks ma salvawlohmx l-impieg. Il-lum L-Alitalia ma ghadiex tezisti bhala entita. Taghmel parti minn kumpanija ohra.
John Pecorella
Jul 11th 2011, 14:14
Kien hemm min ha 7 snin paga pero'.
Mr Peter Murray
Jul 11th 2011, 12:32
it si true that ALPA have not yet registered an industrial dispute but that will change if Air Malta do not respond to the issues raised by 10.00 hrs on 15th July so Air Malta;s basis for a judicial protest wiil soon be as baseless as it is selective .THE AIRLINE IS UNDERGOING RESTRUCTURING is the claim made by Air Malta however,what are the proposals of this interminable process and why haven't they already been promulgated?For UNDERGOING read GOING UNDER!
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 11th 2011, 15:29
Who pays for strike damages?....Cargo, tourism...etc.
Pilots dont seem to give a hoot as they will soon be off to Dubai and Qatar...
It is the rest of us morons who will bear the consequences
Mr Joseph Brincat
Jul 11th 2011, 12:25
WHAT I WANT TO ASK IS THAT, IS THERE A GUARANTEE
IF AIR MALTA WITH HER RESTRUCTURING, THE REST
WON'T LOSE THEIR JOB OR IS IT JUST AN IMAGINATION ? ? ? ?
Mr R ferriggi
Jul 11th 2011, 12:38
although i AM NOT in favor of people losing their livelihood,,,,,,,
im afraid this is the reality MR brincat.
not profitable = out of work.
this is capitalism with its good and bad.
i am in no way saying it is airmalta's workers fault. we all know that the real culprits were it managements and their wrong decisions plus their perks.
Marco Lucia
Jul 11th 2011, 13:00
Mr R Ferriggi
I accept that if a company is not profitable, redundancies are a necessary evil, but only if there is no way of making a profit without redundancies.
Why didn't Air Malta use its training privileges properly? Why didn't it make money from there?
Why where aircraft (with and without crew) leases refused?
Why is cargo mismanaged?
Why did Air Malta give away the Dubai route?
Why didn't Air Malta expand its network into Africa using Malta as a hub thus increasing bed nights in Malta for connecting passengers? Did we have to wait for Afriquiyah Airways to come up with this idea and use Tripoli as a hub?
If you have any doubts about cargo, why don't you ask those in power to publish the official documentation? Perhaps the auditors can enlighten us?
Jon Vercellono
Jul 11th 2011, 13:04
But I think that the government may have gone out of its way to make it unprofitable. New economics I suppose.
Mr Charles camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:32
In business when you are competing with other companies there is no guarantees. Air Malta is not a Govt Dept. but a commercial enterprise which has to compete with other Airlines to survive.
This a lot of Maltese cannot understand. The time of loafering about and getting paid is now gone. Everyone had to earn his pay.
Mario Ellul
Jul 11th 2011, 12:22
Good then we don't have to pay a foreign(ex-colonial ) person E 1.5 million for a job that a maltese person could have done. Alitalia could take over our routes, modernise our fleet and bring us up to scratch.
I support ALPA. They know best. They have been at it for a long time. There is no point in the country spending E70K to train them and then make them redundant or go to other airlines.
Mr M Mamo
Jul 11th 2011, 12:22
A strike when talks hadn't even started?! for me this is just a political move by ALPA (we all know their sympathies just by looking at its leader) and it was mature by GWU to condemn this strike!
Marco Lucia
Jul 11th 2011, 12:50
Talks haven't even started? What are you on about?
This is not about an increase in salary, its about the plans of higher 'beings' having ulterior motives to those declared.
Why are all the accusations made by the Unions and bloggers not being addressed? Why is the gov and management hiding behind technicalities? Where is the Company's internal audit section? and more importantly, where was it throughout all these years?
Where is the accountability? Where is the Prime Minister? He did say he knew about the situation 7 years ago.
Tal misthijja!
Mr norbert schembri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:05
@ mamo
"A strike when talks hadn't even started?"
Ma tafx x'int tghid u qed tghix fil qamar, l- ALPA ilha iktar minn sena tiltaqa mal kumpanija!!! Qed tattakka lil president ta l- ALPA fuq kif jahsibha fuq il- politika, x' ghandha x'taqsam? Jigifieri int trid li l- union leaders ikunu kollha pupazzi tal gvern u joqghodu ghall dak li jiddetta ir-regim ta gonzipn? X'qed tinsinwa hawn? Konvenjentament ma semmejt xejn fuq l-oxxenitajiet li ghamlu il- pn matul it-22 sena li ilhom fil gvern biex wasslu il-kumpanija fejn hi illum.
Anthony Agius
Jul 11th 2011, 14:20
52 million loan way back in November and Airmalta asked for time to restructure and cut costs, 8 months later and 52 million were passed on to the friends of friends instead of being used well...... now they want more time?
J Farrugia
Jul 11th 2011, 12:17
Domenic and the rest of the pilots/cabin crew, the lives of 1300 employees lay in your decision, i would not like to be you lot if you go ahead and KM falls.
As for the Govt, you should look at yourselves and hang you heads in shame, you have since 2004 to sort this out yet you dragged your feet.
I hope one day Gonzipn get too feel what it's like to have your lives hang in the balance because of incompitence. shame on you all.
Andrew Holland
Jul 11th 2011, 12:53
Agree 100%.
As a Brit who visits Malta often, the loss of Air Malta would be a tragedy. While the company offers a "first class" service to all passengers, it's become evident - from reporting on sites like this - that the way it operates is far from "first class". Its desire to resolve its own problems has been stymied by incompent management and politicians, a "jobs for the boys" culture and some truly bizarre commerical, financial and funding decisions. The government should have taken a back seat in Air Malta a long time ago while providing the necessary support to help it grow (it's your airline for goodness sake - look after it, don't try to kill it by giving money to Ryanair to compete with it!) and allowed those who can to run the business successfully, instead of allowing those who can't to run it into the ground.
The blame lies solely at the door fo the Government and I just hope the Maltese have the will and the collective common sense to make their voice heard and send a message to the government over this when your next general election takes place. The Maltese need to stand up and fight for the airline, because it is truly worth fighting for. Those in the Government who caused this however, should stand down and get out... and to those people: I hear Ryanair do some cheap flights to far flung places (well, at least the airports are), should you feel the desire to leave Malta totally, I'm sure you won't be missed much! :)
Mr Charles camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:42
The same jeremiahs singing the same song, sang during the Dockyyard closure, Sea Malta, the Phoenicia hotel etc. Nothing constructive but just whining putting the blame everyone except where the blame should go.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 14:52
Spot on Mr Charles camilleri
Matthew Cachia
Jul 11th 2011, 12:16
The people in charge of Air Malta's so called "restructuring" have proven time and time again that they can't be trusted, and since this strike by the pilots is being undertaken to ensure that the right decisions are taken in the interest of the company, after much procrastination by management, consultants and the government I can't help but support this last ditch attempt to save our national airline.
ALPA had no choice but to resort to the threat of a strike, as the government just wants the summer season to pass before it undertakes further "restructuring", thus hurting all stakeholders involved, apart from their many business friends who all have their fingers in the pie of course. Unless we want a repeat of the Sea Malta saga we should all support their cause.
I will be joining their protest next Friday in Valletta. Hopefully many more will do the same.
Gable Porter
Jul 11th 2011, 12:13
The Airline wont collapse.
The Government is scared that it would loose the cow that has been milked dry.
Moreover, the people enjoying the 'perks' that these contracts had built in them will stand to loose as well.
Cargo that s provided for 'free' to large maltese corporations will have to be revised.
The loans Airmalta has with BOV, might bring BOV down causing enemalta to loose its lifeline.
Sad times indeed for the whole country.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 12:06
Get rid of the €500,000 CEO and those whom he employed with shameful (too much) salaries so much so that he does not want to publish them even though it is OUR right to know them because we are paying them.
Scrap all outsourcing contracts and re-nationalize MIA.
Best of all call a general election to get rid of all the incompetents in government and those equally incompetents appointed at Air Malta.
Mr John Borg
Jul 11th 2011, 12:02
Go on...strike and take the bird out of its misery with your last shot!
Shoot at this endangerd species and we can all say goodbye to AirMalta.
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 11th 2011, 12:01
Just curious, if the airline collapses, will the new CEO who is structuring the airline still get his dosh ?
Mario Ellul
Jul 11th 2011, 12:58
Not if he hasn't delivered. The report is still not public. Air Malta provided a good service in the past and still does. It could improve its service, bring in bigger planes and pack more passengers from the UK and Germany in the summer.
Mr Charles camilleri
Jul 11th 2011, 13:35
It is a pity that Govt did not hire you to solve this easy problem
Mr Charles Cremona
Jul 11th 2011, 12:00
The only way Air Malta can survive is for the country to subsidise its operations. It can never compete with the low cost airlines that have brought on its demise because it is too small and they have the economies of scale on there side, yes economies and efficiencies can be made but because of the airlines small size these are limited. As they say the moment of truth has arrived for Air Malta and I hope it survives as the country cannot afford not to have a national airline and then having to rely on the here today gone tomorrow cowboy low cost airlines.
Matthew Cachia
Jul 11th 2011, 12:53
You are wrong Mr. Cremona, if Air Malta was managed properly it could easily make a profit.
That is why this whole saga is a crying shame; Air Malta's planes are always full of passengers and cargo and yet they still make a loss...
Christian Ellul
Jul 11th 2011, 11:57
Every person with a clear conscience will realize that a strike at this time of year will damage the airline, the country and eventually even the pilots themselves. For once, the people of Malta should unite and protest against this strike!
Mr norbert schembri
Jul 11th 2011, 12:58
Ipprotesta kontra ir-regim ta gonzipn li int ferhan hafna bieh li gab lill kumpanija f xifer il falliment. Issa meta tkun ser titlef xogholok int minhabba l- inkompetenza ta haddiehor tipprotestax u tiehux azzjoni industrijali, izda ghidilhom thank you u mur irregistra. Mhux hekk tghid, il- piloti jitilfu xoghlom minhabba l- inkompetenza tal gvern u xi uhud mill blue eyed boys management, ikollhom jemigraw il-boghod minn familthom biex isibu xoghol u ma jghamlu xejn!!
Mr Vincent Cassar
Jul 11th 2011, 13:12
Perfect on spot Mr Schembri. Bl-iskuza li qeghdin fis-sajf, irridu noqghodu ghall-hmieg ta' haddiehor! Jek il-Gvern ma jaghtix risposti, l-istrajk isir. Issa f'idejn il-Gvern qeghda id-decizzjoni.
Loreta Lija
Jul 11th 2011, 11:51
Soon we will have Airtumas I think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andrew Holland
Jul 11th 2011, 12:55
Just as long as you don't get "AirArriva", eh?! ;)
dennis azzopardi
Jul 11th 2011, 13:11
and i bet someone will have free flights to highbury......