‘RJ planes purchase tainted’
An Air Malta Avro RJ.
A former Air Malta executive has contested Richard Cachia Caruana’s recent comments over the airline’s controversial aircraft purchase in the 1990s.
Frans Camilleri, a former group head, insists the airline management tasked to negotiate the purchase of the Avroliner RJs were presented with a fait accompli.
The purchase left Air Malta with millions of euros in losses.
Mr Cachia Caruana was a board member at the time.
Writing in The Times today, Mr Camilleri says the negotiations were “vitiated”
“I was told in no uncertain terms by the executive chairman that the purchase price and financial conditions of the aircraft had been negotiated and were not subject to further negotiations.”
He said he was one of two management staff who had refused to sign a statement in favour of the purchase as requested by the chairman’s office.
The case of the Avroliners resurfaced in the controversy over backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and his request for Mr Cachia Caruana’s expulsion from the Nationalist Party.
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132 Comments
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Emanuel Curmi
Jul 28th 2012, 08:54
Let's get the KM situation in its right perspective. The saga with the RJs and Azzurra Air did not happen yesterday and although it was a big loss for the airline, it cannot be used as an excuse to cover for the series of loss making years which came afterwards. The airline business has had its ups and downs but KM has been in free fall.
What RCC & the PN conveniently left out and indeed the opposition also, is what has led to this ongoing mismanagement fiasco. The never ending intrusion by politicians from successive administration, who used Air Malta as a political whore, have all left their contribution in the mountain of losses accumulated by the national airline and by trying to pass the buck they are now simply rubbing it in. The PL is not exempt either because although the airline made profits during their years in office, they were also the ones to introduce the style of management which has remained unaltered to the present day.
E. Azzopardi
Jul 27th 2012, 12:15
At the end of the day, it is the taxpayers who have to fork out the money for not so good decisions.
Mario Desira
Jul 27th 2012, 09:27
The Avroliner-Azzura saga was the beginning of the woes and downward spiral for Air Malta. These were very bad decisions seemingly taken without any feasibility or impact studies, and the fact RCC confirmed his stance on these issues only confirms incompetence of the Board of which he formed part of.
Technical staff warned the Avroliners were unsuitable but the purchase went ahead. Money was pumped in Azzura air, which eventually folded up. I have never fathomed why Azzura was created. The reason claimed was to get a foothold in Europe, when at the time Malta’s EU membership bid was going full steam ahead.
Time proved that the Avroliner-Azzura projects became a millstone around Air Malta’s neck and took several years to get rid of, sinking the airline further as time dragged by.
john sammut
Jul 27th 2012, 09:22
Ghalfejn JM ghadu iwieghed.
Meta 1996 Alfred Sant hatar bordijiet sabiex jinvestigaw x'kien hemm jew m’hemmx fl-azjendi pubblici ma sewa ghal xejn ghax 1998 ma tellax. Sa certu punt il-poplu gie jaqa u jqum ghax ‘mhux minn butu’, pero kullhadd jaf li ghal dawn l-izbalji it- tax payers qed ihallas.
john sammut
J Caruana
Jul 27th 2012, 08:54
il-hmar iwahhal f'dembu...
A. MICALLEF
Jul 27th 2012, 07:25
Joseph Muscat ghandu jwieghed lil-poplu Malti, inkjesta fuq ix-xiri ta RJs, Azzura Air, il-kuntratt
tal-BWSC u kuntratti ohra. Il-poplu jhallas ghal-anqas zball, u l-kbir ghandhu jhallas prezz
aktar qares ghal-dak li gie fdat lilu.
Anthony Agius
Jul 26th 2012, 22:39
Double whammy for employees".........jobless taxpayers
Robert Calafato
Jul 26th 2012, 22:17
Punishment is now unfashionable... because it creates moral distinctions among men, which, to the democratic mind, are odious. We prefer a meaningless collective guilt to a meaningful individual responsibility.
Thomas Szasz
Tony Dalli
Jul 26th 2012, 21:04
If i am left with any choice, I would definetely side with Mr. Camilleri.
Darren Agius
Jul 26th 2012, 19:10
L-iktar haga skandaluza f’din tal-RJs hi, li hadd mhu accountable, hadd ma garr ir-responsabilita’ ta’ dan il-falliment. Din id-decizjoni m’ ohrajn li hadu RCC u l-kbarat shabu taht gvernijiet Nazzjonalisti li gharqu kumpannija li qabel giet f’idehom dejjem ghamlet qliegh. Minn fuq illum il-PM irid jghaddilna lill-istrategista tieghu RCC bhala “eroj” ghax l-UE taghtna l-permess biex insalvaw il-linja tal-ajru taghna. Dan il-process ser jiswa 250 miljun ewro. Dawn il-250 miljun ewru mhux ser ihalsuhom min zbalja, le ser inhalsuhom ahna mit-taxxi taghna.
Edward Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 19:53
True, now we as taxpapers must take the responsibility!! Because others have mismanaged it for decades!
Colin Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 20:26
Ahna bhala poplu nerfaw ir responsabbilta li tellajnihom kollettivament fil gvern. Dik hi wahda mill pitfalls ta demokrazija.
Tivvota partit li jaghmel hames li jrid u li joghgbu.Terga ttellaw tfisser li kont komdu bdak li kien qed jaghmel.
Godfrey Grima
Jul 26th 2012, 19:08
Only the politically insane would even think of Frans Camilleri colouring his professional judgment by party poilitical hues. Camilleri is an outstanding person of impeccable propriety. I doubt Henry - or the pathetic dog whiste party-run contributors know or what they are talking about . His single minded defence of what is right and truthful have only heightened since the two of us were young journalists working for rival newspapers.
Frans Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 18:28
Mr Henry Fenech Azzopardi is entitled to his views, that are subjective as much as mine. Nut facts are sacred. Fact 1: Air Malta employees are not government or quasi-government employees, because Air Malta is a commercial limited liability company. Fact 2: Should an Air Malta executive write to the Government on the company’s affairs, he would be in breach of the Company’s Code of Conduct and, quite rightly, subject to severe disciplinary action. I would remind Mr Fenech Azzopardi that the Whistleblower’s Act, which might have come in handy, had not been enacted at the time. Fact 4: I assure Mr Fenech Azzopardi that I have no penchant for heroism which, in my books, is one who goes beyond the call of duty. I simply did my duty. Fact 5: I was not a highly-paid executive. Mr Fenech Azzopardi might wish to compare the salaries of Air Malta executives at the time with those of their peers in private industry. Fact 6: I am not talking now. I talked at the time, as can be attested by various people. My refusal to sign the Chairman’s declaration was loud enough. The pertinent questions, Mr Fenech Azzopardi, is why if the Board was told that the management was in favour, as confirmed by Mr Cachia Caruana himself, they were not told that not everybody had signed the declaration and, if they were, why they did not bother to find out why the persons concerned hadn’t signed it. Fact 7: I still gave my contribution because, though I was against the purchase, I tried to negotiate what I was told I could negotiate. Fact 8: Mr Fenech Azzopardi should brush up his financial acumen. Impairment losses are calculated after the resale value is taken into the books. Fact 9: The fact that Peru Air use RJs does not mean that the aircraft was suitable for Air Malta. Peru is a mountainous country with short runways, for which the RJ is suitable. Air Malta does not have such runways in its operation, except for Florence.
As to whether my political leanings has anything to do with this, as claimed by other bloggers, I suppose an attestation to my leanings is the fact that I was not allowed to retire early and that a successive Board of Directors kept me beyond my retiring age to sell the seven RJs. Let’s not bandy about political leanings either to whitewash all kinds of sins or to undermine those whose sole interest is serving the company that pays them to the best of their ability.
Ronnie Callus
Jul 26th 2012, 18:57
@ Frans Camilleri:
These facts are going to help certain bloggers to weigh their wording before scribbling although they are entitled for their views. As always said ' Oil at one time will surface to the water' and most of the time annoys.
cesco di luigi
Jul 26th 2012, 19:14
Great reply.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jul 26th 2012, 19:50
FACT 10. It is too late to speak up now or rather to go public now. You must have some hidden agenda to spill the beans in public after so many years.
FACT 11. The avros and Azzura air alone were not the downfall of Air Malta. You are well aquainted with the Air Malta past and I am sure you remember the political interference because you lived it and apparently you felt comfortable going to work in that atmosphere.
Fact 12. Air Malta may make a comeback and return to profitability if both political parties distance themselves from it and employ enough employees to be run at a profit.
Fact 13. You amaze me when you say Air Malta is not a Government entity.
Fact 14. The truth hurts and I have never worked for the airline because I was black listed through my political beliefs.
GL Calleja
Jul 26th 2012, 20:00
" Fact 1: Air Malta employees are not government or quasi-government employees, because Air Malta is a commercial limited liability company." Correction. Fact 1 is that Air Malta is owned by the government and financed and overlooked by the government, always was and that makes the employees, quasi government employees and that is why the government is shelling out almost 200,000,000 Million euros out of the Tax payer's money to bail it out out. The government would never do that for private airline. # 2 Fact is that the government positioned a lot of those layed off employees in government jobs. If not government possession, how come all politicians and their families were able to fly on Air Malta for free. Last but not least how come most employees were hired through politicians before a general election? I thought every Maltese citizen was aware of that fact. The wording might not be right but you know exactly what I am talking about. Somebody screwed up royally and nobody is taking responsibility, not even the government. I wonder who the Finance Minister responsible for Air Malta was at that time. Anybody knows?
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 20:50
@Henry Fenech Azzopardi
FACT 10. It is too late to speak up now or rather to go public now. You must have some hidden agenda to spill the beans in public after so many years. - The FACT IS that it was RCC who spoke about Air Malta and the RJs first not Frans Camilleri!
FACT 11. The avros and Azzura air alone were not the downfall of Air Malta. You are well aquainted with the Air Malta past and I am sure you remember the political interference because you lived it and apparently you felt comfortable going to work in that atmosphere. - The FACT IS that political interference is the norm in Malta and many other countries for that matter. It is easy for you to be a quarterback commentator when your livelihood is not on the line!
Fact 12. Air Malta may make a comeback and return to profitability if both political parties distance themselves from it and employ enough employees to be run at a profit. - This is one fact I agree with you on!
Fact 13. You amaze me when you say Air Malta is not a Government entity. - Well, the FACT IS that it's not. Just because the government put money into the enterprise, legally it's still independent of the government.
Fact 14. The truth hurts and I have never worked for the airline because I was black listed through my political beliefs. - Now the truth comes out! You're bitter because you were left out. This government and the next one, whether it is the PL or the PN, will show favoritism when it comes to political or quasi-political appointees. It happens in Malta and it happens in most countries.
@GL Calleja
Fact 1: Just because Air Malta is owned by the government and financed and overlooked by the government, does not make the employees, quasi government employees. Legally, the employees are the employees of the company not the people financing the company; a basic economic realith that you don't seem to comprehend.
Fact 2: You ask how come all politicians and their families were able to fly on Air Malta for free? Simple. Because the board (government appointees) and the Chairman (government appointee) were obviously pressured to make this allowance. Again, it's political interference in a company that cannot be blamed on the employees of the company!!
Somebody did screw up royally and as usual, politicians are trying to blame someone else for their negligence and ineptitude! If only modern day politicians were as trustworthy and honourable as US President Truman was, who's motto was "The Buck Stops Here!"
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jul 26th 2012, 21:31
Henry,“Fact 14. The truth hurts and I have never worked for the airline because I was black listed through my political beliefs.” Are you having a laugh Henry? I joined Air Malta before it started flying its kites at a time when Air Malta took over practically all the former employees of the defunct Malta Airways. Don’t be coy to admit that the very vast majority of the then Malta Airways personnel were PN Supporters. Must I name names? Moreover the first board of directors was a mix of Pakistani and Maltese and the Maltese Directors were chiefly PN supporters. Was the then chairman ever considered a Labour Party supporter? There was a reason why you were not selected and it had nothing to do with your political views, be true to yourself. I must add that your non acceptance had nothing to do with your integrity or know how. It was due to an informal request by one of your former directors as they needed your services in their new venture as IATA Agents. I obtained these facts from the two quarters. Was it fair on you? Of course not but please don’t blame the wrong source for your bad luck.
Pule' Carmel
Jul 26th 2012, 21:59
GL Calleja ,
200,000,000 Million Euros is a lot of money, which Malta cannot afford!
Now 200, million Euros or 200,000,000 Euros will still put Malta is some difficulty.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jul 26th 2012, 23:32
@ Charles Buttigieg
Sorry to disappoint you but you have it all wrong. It seems you know more than I do about the reason why I had a red cross next to my name after I had passed my interview and been accepted by the PIA representative. I am not prepared to go public but yes my connection with Air Malta was all political and I may add that all the remaining other six Malta Airlines employees were also not offered the job for the same reason. It is not fair to mention names but I am sure you know them quite well and the families they come from.
However, today I must say thank God I was not offered the job, because at least I have something of my own to pass to my children although in the course of my private business I was again targeted for political reasons to stop me from operating. But I would rather stop here and let old bad times go by.
I sincerely hope that these are things of the past and whoever is leading the country will never ever again permit such hnizriet.
Ronnie Callus
Jul 27th 2012, 08:00
@ Pule' Carmel::
I would like to add that when Fenech Adami was Prim Minister and was asked how much Mater Dei is going to cost us, he answered that the figure would make you dizzy if said. Thus what would he says with this 200.000.000 euro ( 200 Million) figure ?????? Can he tell us from where these are going to be forked out. Probably he is expecting that oil will be found before the election. ( Although a little has already been submerged in the PN party)
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jul 27th 2012, 18:42
@Henry Fenech Azzopardi. Kien hemm kandidati ferm aktar Nazzjonalisti minnek li hadu impjieg ma l-Air Malta.Hafna minnhom spiccaw fis Seniour Management u Managers out stations. Dawn forsi insew jghamlulom is salib l-ahmar kif ghamlu lilek?
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jul 26th 2012, 18:01
My impression is that the final choice was between Avro and Bombardier Inc, a subsidiary of Air Canada. The Vice President Commercial of Bombardier is a very old friend of mine and he was extremely surprised with Air Malta’s choice. Another friend of mine, a top brass in the aircraft manufacturing industry showed no surprise with the choice because, as he put it, at the end of the day it’s the size of commission that counts.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 18:16
To clarify, Bombardier Inc. is not a subsidiary of Air Canada; it is an indepednet company. Air Canada happens to be one of their big customers. Bomabrdier invented the snowmonbile and turned his invention into a huge business. The company is now a major manufacturer of trains, snowmobiles and planes.
I also was surprised when Avro was chosen over Bombardier for the planes. Bombardier definbitely builds a better RJ than most other companies.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jul 26th 2012, 18:01
@ John Borg. I worked with Mr.Camilleri since the first day of Air Malta until I retired. Frans wasn't exactly the most popular person chiefly because he always spoke his mind and never allowed anybody to lead him by the nose. He definitely was never a political animal in or outside his place of work. Incidentally, At Air Malta Frans was always referred to as 'the walking encyclopedia'
John Borg
Jul 26th 2012, 17:38
Many have hailed the integrity of Francs Camilleri. Integrity speaking after 16 years? more like another opportunity to again stab RCC in the back. If Frans Camilleri has the integrity people are speaking about he should have spoken out or went to the police or went to the PERMANENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION. RIGHT NOW IT SEEMS MORE AN OPPORTUNISTIC MANOEUVRE TELLING THE PRATTIKAMENT PRIM MINISTRU jOSEPH MUSCAT 'HEY i AM HERE IN CASE YOU ARE ELECTED'
Mark Scicluna
Jul 26th 2012, 18:14
Whisleblower act maybe?
Emanuel Curmi
Jul 26th 2012, 18:17
@John Borg
I think as Mr RCC is the one who started to make a case to defend his contribution to this KM fiasco by attempting to pass on the buck on to the then KM management, it is only appropriate that members of this management team are given a chance to response to these accusations. I think that once we hear all sides of the story than maybe we come closer to the truth of whose skeletons are in the closet.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 18:20
No laws were broken at the time so going to the police would have been meaningless and useless. This was simply political opportunism and political interference in a business process and bad business decisions were made as a result.
Before you question someone's integrity, you'd better know the person or have some solid evidence to the contrary or you would be liable for slander!
cesco di luigi
Jul 26th 2012, 19:10
Mr John Borg
Don't you know that in this country if you speak up against the powers you will be crushed and your career ruined for good?? This applies to other cases too. If you haven't grasped this, then you do not have much contact with the machinations of Government.
Tony Dalli
Jul 26th 2012, 21:17
Yes and why not. Malta needs people like Mr. F. Camilleri.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jul 27th 2012, 07:33
@ John Borg. For your information France Camilleri is now pushing 70,hardly the age for any person to be looking for ways to obtain business or career advancement through any quarter. Moreover, Mr.Camilleri asked for an early retirement and was refused by the airline. There were others before you who tried to tarnish Mr. Camilleri's impeccable honest and strong character but none succeeded.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jul 27th 2012, 08:15
You hit the nail on the head, no wonder others of different colour do not agree as if there is some age barrier to get an appointment. The publicity given by Franz Cammilleri on the eve of an election when he could have gone public years back is enough proof of your comments.
Time might prove you right let us wait and sea. .
John Borg
Jul 26th 2012, 17:35
Everyone seems to be forgetting that labour was in government for 16 months. why now?
P. Ciantar
Jul 26th 2012, 17:07
i think that there must have been a police investigation in this. The rest is rumour.
Peter Murray
Jul 26th 2012, 18:15
Think again and why make a claim that you can't prove?
Mark Scicluna
Jul 26th 2012, 16:45
TO ANDREW BORG CARDONA : This is "EXACTLY WHY" there should be an election. So, planes that HAD to be bought(an order from above), we changed a law so that the new power station could run on heavy fuel oil, (against ALL rationale), and you're wondering why suddenly everyone's up in arms about this administration. Mind you, being one of the consultants sucking thousands from such consultancies(you are an Airmalta consultant no?), it's no wonder you seem scared of seeing Joseph Muscat going up Castille stairs.
cesco di luigi
Jul 26th 2012, 16:41
You should all read the letter Mr camilleri wrote in the Times today. It's more than revealing.
Peter Murray
Jul 26th 2012, 18:19
Revealing in what way exactly?Who were the people involved -actual names-and where is this documented statement he claimed he wrote and submitted at that time -as surely he would have made and kept a copy?As all we have are his words at the moment and a verbal argument is not worth the paper it is written on.
cesco di luigi
Jul 26th 2012, 16:29
It seems that the mythical RCC genius bubble has burst. Air Malta, my feeling is, is but one of many horror stories of money squandering...and now these PN people have the gall to tell us we have problems with paying for essential services such as medical and pensions.. Sure ...what to expect ...after the pigs made sure to empty the trough..... Shameless is too light a word to describe this troupe
Angelo Vassallo
Jul 26th 2012, 16:03
@ EDDIE privitera
EDDIE I only hope that you are not the investigating magistrate on the RJ70s scandal.
All the Board members who were appointed by the Prime Minister Dr. EDDIE FENECH ADAMI had to do their duty, something that Frans Camilleri did not do than, and one of his duties was to SPEAK UP and STAND UP AND BE COUNTED. Two wrongs never make a right. Maybe he is investing in the very near future. Who knows?
GL Calleja
Jul 26th 2012, 16:23
Maybe it would help a lot if the parliament sat down someday and pass " The whistle blower law " like they have been promising to do for the past few years. Open your mouth and you will face repercussions, especially on a small island like this one, where everybody knows everybody and where politics rule..
Eddy Privitera
Jul 26th 2012, 16:36
Angelo, that is what Frans Camilleri did, stand up to be counted AGAINST the pruchase of the RJ70s, by refusing to sign the statement agreeing with the purchase. AND HE SUFFERED FOR THAT, AS ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT BEND OVER TO ACCOMODATE THE PN, SUFFER !!!
JOSEPH MUSCAT
Jul 27th 2012, 10:30
@Angelo Vassallo,A.V. his duties were to speak up during the Fenech Adami administration in Malta and keep his JOB is that what you mean Mr, Vassallo.You know how many labour supporters been victimised since your party came to power, I hope that labour do not fall again for your tricks,but then again you know YOURSELF,Angelo we will learn more about this government in the near future.
Mr John Montague
Jul 26th 2012, 15:59
it would appear that the decision to source the RJ70's was based on establishing Malta as a hub, and utilizing these craft for onward journeys of around one and a half hours a throw.
I am not sure how one can justify four of these planes to be purchased at the time. Why these were not leased with an option to purchase is still a mystery, and if the option was not tabled, it should have been negotiated. It also appears that a price over the odds was eventually agreed upon - a tip for good service possibly - the mind boggles...
However, I'm not sure as to why we are looking at the past, when more of the same is going on right now.
Are we still subsidizing LCC's, and by how much. When will we realize that this is money going up in smoke - literally! Let's talk about this now, and not in some ten years' time. This was started around 10 years after the RJ's purchase, to save face when the tourism gurus couldn't come up with a plan, basically took out their (our) wallet, and took us all to the proverbial cleaners'.
For the record, Louis Grech was not, to the best of my knowledge, leading this initiative.
Emanuel Curmi
Jul 26th 2012, 17:05
@Mr. Montague. The decision to establish a hub and spoke network was actually tried and it failed miserably but this cannot be attributed solely to the RJ70 reliability problems. I believe it was more a case of KM's lack of expertise in these types of operation and not grasping fully the dynamics behind such a venture. For a tourist destination like Malta this type of operation would have actually reduced the number of visitors to the island because for a hub operation, the focus would have been on transiting passengers rather than point to point traffic so if anything, this would have facilitated the entry of LCCs to Malta. Furthermore such hub operations are expensive to run and this would have been glaringly reflected in the prices.
Tony Dalli
Jul 26th 2012, 21:31
@ John
The RJs saga has to be looked into in a bigger scenario - It was one of the sacrifices we were made to make, to obtain Britain's support for Malta to join the EU.
Another thing a post RJs saga - Azzurraair. How come all the Malta based personnel working for Azzurraair were given fabulous promotions upon returning to Malta. Is it a thank you for allowing Azzurraair going bust and sucking some LM50m from Air Malta's coffer? Should one also blame it on RCC or the then JT?
Angelo Vassallo
Jul 26th 2012, 15:52
@ Wilfred Camilleri
His political leanings have a lot to do with all this. He may be investing in the very near future.
You said "If your boss tells you to do something you do it or you get fired". Even if by what the boss orders you to do, YOU will be breaking the law, you accept to become an accomplice of your boss and do it?
Malta needs a lot of people like you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 16:35
I never mentioned anything about breaking the law. If the board chose to use political expediency over sound business practices then it's the board that is responsible not the people who were asked to carry on with the purchase. Signing a bad contract is not breaking the law, it's bad business judgement! And if you had taken the time to read the article Mr. Camilleri said he and another person refused to sign off on a statement in favour of the contract although the board had asked them to sign off.
And what are you going on about "investing in the near future?" What does that mean exactly?
GL Calleja
Jul 26th 2012, 15:21
What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. It always comes out in the laundry, doesn't it? What a bunch of CWIEC? Don't send a boy to do a man's job. The Government has no business running an airline which they know nothing about. Privatize Air Malta before the government sends it into bankruptcy. Pretty soon Air Malta will need new aircraft again to replace the old fleet and how long do you think that 200,000,000 Million euro bail out will last? Well at least the CEO and his Merry Men will be operating in a new building and that should make the decision a bit easier..
Mr Gabriel Grech
Jul 26th 2012, 14:53
The tax payers money has been squandered. Isn't there a case for fraud investigation?
cesco di luigi
Jul 26th 2012, 16:39
YES
francis x caruana
Jul 26th 2012, 14:15
another bomb exploded in the face of gonzi pn ,pawlu borg oliver and RCC.
pat muscat
Jul 26th 2012, 14:09
I suppose Mr Frans Camilleri has learned the lesson of NOT being a plastic man; GonziPN and its bloggers that come in various shades and sizes, will be hammering down Mr Camilleri for whistle blowing the truth; the obvious truth,..... because how could otherwise one explain the fact the Air Malta has been loosing altitude for the last 25 years, and GonziPN did nothing about it?.... And please don't mention Azzura and RJ70's; these hangovers have been the tumors that siphoned the marrow form Air Malta's bones!
K CASSAR
Jul 26th 2012, 14:03
How many more of these horror stories do we have to hear? Truly the majority of us are fed up with listening to this rubbish!! The problems and deceit that this government has laid upon us over the years is so beyond belief and there's always more and more resurfacing. What's worse that in the throws of all these happenings, real life for the rest of us gets worse by the day! Can't they just leave it be and make room for those that want to work???
M Grima
Jul 26th 2012, 13:37
Typical example of the inefficiencies or more rather 'tahwid' of GonziPN and their political appointees on the various boards.
Paul Bonello
Jul 26th 2012, 13:28
I have known Mr Camilleri during my tenure as a director for the years 1998 to 2009 at Air Malta. The ill-fated decisions connected to the RJ Aircraft and the investment in Azzurra were made prior to my term. Mr Camilleri is a top manager who is extremely knowledgeable in fleet economics and who is the no nonsense kind of person who is fortright about his views and when he disagrees he says so openly. He always acted in the interest of Air Malta for which he worked since the day it was founded. I harbour no doubt about the veracity of his claims. Paul Bonello, ID 589858M
S. Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 13:25
Mr F Camilleri is on the right side of this. Don't ask don't tell ... That was the RJ process back in the 1990s. The deal was the price Air Malta had to pay for UK's support of Malta's claim to EU membership.
There was a saying then based on a play of words in Maltese ... (RJ = l'ghar ghadu gej!)
Paul Bonello
Jul 26th 2012, 13:23
I write as an ex-director of Air Malta for the years 1998 to 2009. I have known Mr Camilleri as a no non-sense forthright type of person who always spoke his mind in the interest of the airline he worked for since the days it was founded. I do not harbour any doubt about the veracity of his claims. Paul Bonello.
Jonathan Zammit Lapira
Jul 26th 2012, 12:59
Falliment iehor minn GonziPN. Fallew kull kumpanija tal-gvern biex imbaghad ibighhuha bir-ribass!!!!!!!!
John L Galea
Jul 26th 2012, 12:57
Min jaf xi hmieg iktar irid johrog f'kull qasam!!
John L Galea
Jul 26th 2012, 12:53
Didn't Gonzi praised RCC for being the saviour of Malta? Obviously he forgot this blunder at Air Malta leading it to bankruptcy.
Victor Vella
Jul 26th 2012, 12:51
Il-ftira shuna tajba. Bil-paroli fejn ahna ha nibqghu. Wara kulhadd bravu. Tant hemm tahwid f`dawn ix-xiri ta` l-Avros li difficli biex temmen lil xi hadd. Wara kulhadd jaf jaghmila tal-hero. Il-hsara saret u hadd ma hareg rasu u tkellem. Taf x`nghidlu lis-Sur Camiilleri. Int kont wiehed minn dawk li iffirmajt li int ghandek fiducja shiha f`dak li qed jaghmel ic-chairman ta` dak iz-zmien JN Tabone? Sa fejn naf jien hadd ma kien kuragguz u qallu li se tkisser l-Air Malta bit-tahwid li qed taghmel inkluz Camilleri. Tajjeb li nkunu nafu forsi xi darba nibdew nemnu.
Edward Mallia
Jul 26th 2012, 12:43
I have no knowledge of the goings on of Airmalta boards but I was exposed to a consequence of the RJ-70
purchase decision. On a flight to Rome, which ended with an attack of leg muscle cramp because of the high density seating, I called a member of the cabin staff to point out there was some liquid flowing over the wing and dispersing at the trailing edge. The steward went back to consult the captain and came back with an explanation that plane was just dumping surplus fuel over the sea before we got too close to Rome! I expressed skepticism if nothing else about Air Malta's economics and operating procedures. When I checked in the appropriate literature sometime later, there was a claim that the lubrication packs of the RJ-70 were subject to frequent failure. I never stepped on an RJ-70 again.
Charles Micallef
Jul 26th 2012, 12:42
“I was told in no uncertain terms by the executive chairman that the purchase price and financial conditions of the aircraft had been negotiated and were not subject to further negotiations.”
and one does not need to attend a course at UOM to know why they were not subject to further negotiations !!!!!
Mr Kevin Zammit
Jul 26th 2012, 12:41
This is so typical. This guy RCC is turned into some whiz kid because he is perceived to have won the NP an election something anyone could have done really since people like Alfred Sant kept shooting their toes.
Somehow he becomes a decision member for an airline ... a business that he has no clue about and one that is very delicate requiring years of experience to even start understanding the fine little variables that could mean sink or swim.
An airline can make millions in a few months but can also loose millions in just as many months.
This is the sort of management we've had and this is what contributed to 90% of GDP in debt ... i.e. 7 billion euros plus down the proverbial drain
Carmel Zammit
Jul 26th 2012, 12:26
Rather than trying to deviate attention on petty insignificant matters, Dr. Paul Borgolivier should explain the loss that Airmalta had to bear as a result of it's board of Directors, including RCC, decision. Why did the Board present management with a fait accompli? What interests direct or indirect were there?
Peppi Borg
Jul 26th 2012, 12:19
This confirms the cause of Air Malta's poor state- bad top level managerial decisions under a pn administration.
Colin Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 12:31
It proves another thing... those who are/were responsible for ruining it where given high paid jobs within government organisations and made an even worse showing there.
Robert Mifsud
Jul 26th 2012, 14:52
you are a genius.
j brincat
Jul 26th 2012, 12:11
So there's more than meets the eyes!
Could some ex chairman of Air Malta confirm or otherwise whether the purchase of the RJ's dealt the death knell for Air Malta a company which used to make millions of liri annually THIS coupled by the setting up of Azzurra Air which bled Air Malta dry?
(jb)
P. Zammit
Jul 26th 2012, 13:14
You fail to mention when PL used to employ persons in Air Malta as a policial favour. And you also fail to mention the high price of fuel which has also contributed to the state Air Malta is in today.
GL Calleja
Jul 26th 2012, 14:07
There is more than meets the eye, the foot and the nose. That is what happens when you send a boy to do a man's job.
Daniel Tabone
Jul 26th 2012, 12:07
Recently we had RCC boasting that he was 100% behind the decision for Airmalta to buy the RJ's and its investment in AzzurAir! What a waste! €164 million DOWN THE DRAIN! GonziPN frequently speaks of BAD DECISIONS! This was the mother of all BAD BECISIONS. A bad decision that brought Airmalta to its knees, on the brink of bankruptcy!
victor bonello
Jul 26th 2012, 12:47
are we sure the 164 million went down the drain and not some private retirement pension plan ?
same as Power station, Arriva, MIA, etc etc etc,,
I would say Malta has the largest number of retired millioners in the world.. apart ofcourse from Arab countries.
joseph saliba
Jul 26th 2012, 12:04
1. Many who know Frans Camilleri can tell you about his political leanings.
2. Now that they have killed the character they cannot stop themselves from spitting on his reputation.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 12:35
What does his political leanings have to do with anything? If your boss tells you to do something you do it or you get fired. The blame is squarely that of those at the top of the pyramid who had the power and the political clout to run roughshod over the organisation.
Eddy Privitera
Jul 26th 2012, 12:37
Joseph Saliba: Have you anything to say about Frans Camilleri's integrity and professionalism ????? Of course, a truly professional person does not fit in PN's and GonziPN's " way of doing politics " !!!!!!!
Charles Micallef
Jul 26th 2012, 12:47
So WHY does Frans Camiileri's political leanings discredit his comments, what other facts would you like to know as to why Air Malta was brought to its' knees?
It is simply a matter of serious mis-management (board) decisions!
victor bonello
Jul 26th 2012, 12:50
are you saying that this Frans Camilleri is not telling the truth ? or is it that if you are not a PN supporter anything you say is not to be considered? Is this the democracy we have?
no wonder many like myself who are not at all involved in politics or governmental jobs have floated away..
John L Galea
Jul 26th 2012, 12:53
@Joseph Saliba: So for you what RCC did to Air Malta was good?
Mr J Xerri
Jul 26th 2012, 14:48
Is Mr Saliba insinuating that because of his political leanings, whatever they are, Mr Camilleri is not saying the truth? After all many individuals whether employed with Government or public enterprise, appointed on boards, etc have political leanings, self employed and so on, have political leanings, does this make them unreliable, biased in their work, not to be trusted , etc, etc.?
Barney Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 11:21
What are the people going to gain by all this hula? I say why is it so important to bring the dirty clothing now?maybe we are getting close to election? is there going to be anything new to what we already know or it is all alienation?
This to me is all a stage and the song still is: 'The rich get richer and the poor get poorer and that's how it goes'.
By the way we are still having black outs; we still wait for an appointment for months to see a specialist; we still wait for the doctor of your choice and the pharmacy of your choice; still wait for a tax reduction; we still wait for better transport service; still wait, still wait, and on and on.
If all this is one more show please leave us in peace because more people are loosing their trust in our political system.
Ex-P.N. that will not vote this time round.
Peter Murray
Jul 26th 2012, 11:31
Why is any gain an issue ?It is wrongdoing being exposed and if we we don't learn from this-or are not even made aware of it- we are condemned to repeat it
m. borg (slm)
Jul 26th 2012, 11:38
According to your reasoning why should police departments keep investigating a crime 10, 20, 30 etc years on.
It was our money that was poured down the drain and ruin AirMalta.
Barney Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 11:50
Peter
Strong words.
The three question I put forward is: (1) Do you REALLY believe after all is over we will not repeat? (2) Name two cases of wrong doing that have been condemned by the authorities of the day? (3) Has there been a government who stood up and said: 'we learned a lesson, condemn it and will not repeat it while being in power or blamed it on the other party?
F. Scicluna
Jul 26th 2012, 13:13
we need to talk so somebody will be kept responsible for loss of millions from our money.
Ronnie Callus
Jul 26th 2012, 13:18
@ Barney Camilleri:
Do you mean that anyone who has done some infamous wrong doing as this keep going 'Scotch Free'.???? Were these not the peoples money / taxes picked from our pockets and I presume from yours too. Noway !!! those responsible should answer to all this today or tomorrow, it was a big crime killing one of Malta's assets which was built through our parents sagrifices and the workers as well. It was brought to this state during this last 25 years of PN mismanagement by people placed in the posts by the government in question. How comes that you want not to be mentioned. You are saying this because you are not one of those who came redundant or have a son, pliot, engineer etc; who did a lot of studying and forking his parents money to achieve the schooling needed to achieve the post / level needed. It's a SHAME if one does not continue to investigate and leave everything going by the wind.
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Jul 26th 2012, 11:02
Air Malta found itself in a financial crisis because of the bad management by various PN (Partit Negattiv) administrations.
The National Debt is over the 4 billions because various PN Governments financial and economic policies are based on debt.
Whenever there are financial and economic failures under PN Governments. PN's apologists and PN's fanatic supporters blame everyone except their own inefficient Government.
Manny Debono
Jul 26th 2012, 11:47
Why PN administration?
For your information
Airmalta Chairman (and CEO) from 1996-2003 was no other than Louis Grech -Labour MEP
Why did AirMalta, under Labour, not pull the plug to Azzurra and replace RJs if these were not a good idea?
Why did not AirMalta not take up Mr.Camilleri's advise in 1997? I don't think the Azzurra was the result of AirMalta's downfall. If this was the case they should have not let it operate until 2003. Airmalta's downfall started in the late 90s -it was bloated with loss making subsidiaries like all its hotels, duty free shops and inefficiencies in its operation.
kevin abela
Jul 26th 2012, 13:46
Loss making subsidiaries like the hotels and duty free????? Are you sure that you are speaking about ex Airmalta subsidiaries?
Joseph Grech Attard
Jul 26th 2012, 10:52
The fact remains that the RJ's purchase was the beginning of the downward trend by Air Malta. Someone had all the reasons to keep everything hush. Doesn't this remind us of 'governments within governments?' The MLP did not have time to go deeper into the matter. It was ousted out of government before it managed to grow one tooth. The PN and GonziPN had more than 10 years to come out with a reason. What kept it out? The good of the country? Mistragate, Airmaltagate, Materdeigate, Arrivagate, etc ... and last, but not least, Republiicstreetgate!!
Robert Agius
Jul 26th 2012, 11:16
Spot on, sir!
Mr Mike Farrugia
Jul 26th 2012, 10:42
Jien naf b'hafna kazijiet ta' hnizrijiet u l-klikkek dejjem ikun hemm Laburisti u Nazzjonalisti nvoluti halli jiddefendu l-xulxin. Konvint li hadd mhu se jkollu jhallas centezmu milli seraq jekk jitla l-PL. Ghalhekk mhux be hsiebni mmur nivvota.
Victor Calleja
Jul 26th 2012, 10:54
Dear Mike, jekk int ma tippruvax u tibdel allura ma tistax tghid se jghamel il partit laburista.
Li naf zgur li din lamministrazzjoni ghanda wisq affarijiet dubjuzi u saru hafna kuntratti ta miljuni dubbjuzi ghalhekk hemm ic cans tal bidla. Jekk umbad il PL jghamel listess hnizrijiet li ghamel dan allura nibda nirraguna bhalek. Il gurnata it tajba
Mr Mike Farrugia
Jul 26th 2012, 12:58
@ Victor
Dr Muscat ga qalha publikament li l-partit mhux se jkun "Qed jaqta l-irjus", li ma jmurx jitlef xi vot. Jekk ma jinqatghux l-irjus ta min sar sinjur minn fuq kuntratti mbabsa, ta min ghanda tinqata? Jien naf nies li jixtru direct orders ghal gvern minn ghandhom stess!!! Fejn hemm izjed fejn tasal. Time will prove me right... u l-istess nies jibqghu il-Kings, la jien u lanqas int.
Mr Albert Dimech
Jul 26th 2012, 10:35
This is the cost of obtaining Britian's support for Malta's EU bid back in 1996. To date no one has argued in favour of buying these useless planes or what benefit, cos there are none, they brought to Airmalta. RJ-70's = the undoing of a national airline.
Eddy Privitera
Jul 26th 2012, 11:31
I had boarded one of these aircraft and never felt so uncomfortable as when I traveled on the RJ70 in all my life ! how could the Board members agree on the purchase of those aircraft ?????
Anthony Curmi
Jul 26th 2012, 13:46
I think that Mr Dimech has hit the nail on the head. The decision to but the RJ-70s smackes of being a politically motivated (wrong and very costly to Air Malta) decision.
Mr Stephen Borg
Jul 26th 2012, 10:31
Whats more important is that in the last twenty five years or so of Nationalist Administration, the administration and those managing Air Malta continued to destroy the company and it's assets at the detriment of the employees, the tourisim sector, the manufacturing sector and the Maltese population in general, because I hope that everybody appriciates that if Air Malta goes bankrupt and siezes operations many people would suffer the consequence because Air Malta plays an important link in linking Malta to the rest of Europe and to the World. But it is most evident that the concequtive Nationalist administrations did not care less about what implications would a bankrupt national airline have on a small island dependent on air travel like ours. Prosit!
Mario Micallef
Jul 26th 2012, 10:27
min kien responsabbli ghal dawn il-hnizrijiet ghandu jkun accountable ghal dak li ghamel ghax jekk ma jsir xejn il-persuni imlahhqin igawdu u jekk le..l-izbalji taghhom ihallashom il-poplu!!! sew jghidu z-zghir jibqa zghir!!
Michael Sciortino
Jul 26th 2012, 10:24
To all those taking Mr. Camilleri to task for speaking now, RCC himself spoke only now that whoever signed the contract for the RJ-70's left out the mile travel cost guarantee out of the contract. RCC then failed to mention who left this out. Karmenu Vella apparently ordered an inquiry into this omission but the results were never published. Seems all sides in the RJ-70 debacle have something to hide.
How many other skeletons are there in the proverbial cupboards? How about the Times doing some genuine investigative journalism about the negotiations and the travel cost guarantee that was left out?
joe vella
Jul 26th 2012, 10:17
mr frans camilleri has already stated - the executive chairman
he does not really have to name these people I think a lot of people know who the chairman and the board were at the time
and this saga has already been commented upon by ex chairman Louis Grech
the problem is that at the time there was no political will to investigate, charge and take action, too many toes to thread upon!
A. MICALLEF
Jul 26th 2012, 10:07
The Chairman together with the Minister responsable MUST ANSWER for these decisions.
A Labour Party in Government should open an inquiry and the CHAIRMAN MUST ANSWER
what made him take the decisions of Azzura Air and the Avro Liners. We are talking of
millions of euros of the taxpayers money and we cannot just forget this disaster as if
nothing had happened.
Peter Murray
Jul 26th 2012, 10:05
This pre-done deal was negotiated by who precisely?
John Borg
Jul 26th 2012, 09:59
So why did Frans Camilleri not speak during the labour government of 1996 and 1998? A typical 'civil servant' who finds ways to pass the blame. why did he not go to the permanent commission against corruption if he smelt a rat?
Lina Caruana
Jul 26th 2012, 10:22
It would be a case of Omerta.
Anthony Grech
Jul 26th 2012, 13:00
"why did he not go to the permanent commission against corruption if he smelt a rat?"
And become a whisleblower?
We are still without a whistleblower act up to this day... and that after 25 years of Nationalist Governments... Why? Do you know Why?
ALBERT FENECH
Jul 26th 2012, 09:54
Some obvious questions beg answers. For example (1) how much money was flushed down the drain as a result of this incompetent purchase (2) as the whole charade was presented as a "fait accompli" did sideline commission money find its way into the private pockets of a few individuals and (3) if yes, who pocketed how much? We will of course never know but the evil that men do lives on after their departure (to misquote Will Shakespeare) and subsequently, legions of Air Malta employees and the general public have been left to hold the troublesome baby.
ALBERT FENECH
M Attard
Jul 26th 2012, 09:51
I applaud Mr Frans Camilleri for remaining strong and not giving in to such peer pressure. This is a disgrace. You people have ruined Malta's reputation and the NP. You are no Nationalists, you're just egoistic individuals.
Angelo Vassallo
Jul 26th 2012, 09:47
"Frans Camilleri, a former group head, insists the airline management tasked to negotiate the purchase of the Avroliner RJs were presented with a fait accompli.”
@ Frans Camilleri
Why did you not report this than to the relevant authorities? Why NOW?
He (Frans Camilleri) said he was one of two management staff who had refused to sign a statement in favour of the purchase as requested by the chairman’s office"
@ Frans Camilleri
You know very well that the "chairman’s office" does not see, speak or hear. Can you be more direct and mention who was the person who asked you to sign this statement you are NOW talking about? Was it the Chairman himself, his secretary, the vice- Chairman, who??????????????
Emanuel Curmi
Jul 26th 2012, 10:30
@Angelo Vassallo
Isn't it glaringly obvious that the KM management were always puppets of the politicians? They were told who to employ, who to pamper, what to sign and when to jump. The only question was how high. The Air Malta losses are not coincidental but an inevitable result due to the long years of continuous political interferences which commenced since it’s inception under a PL administration and was carried on by successive PN administrations. It is purely the utopia thinking of our political parties that has led to this mess and what do they do best? To point fingers at each other. Mr. Camilleri is very much an insider of the airline and well versed in its financial performance but to expect him to carry the buck for not divulging insider information is pretty naïve to say the least. That a lot of baksisch flowed in this transaction is highly probable but hardly provable. That both the PN and PL are very much to blame is more easily proved but then who is going to take them to task.
m. borg (slm)
Jul 26th 2012, 11:08
Why now?
Easy because gonzipn/pn were hiding the facts until now. I don't blame Mr Camilleri to say what he knows now, the probability is that, should he have talked before he would have been destroyed, knowing who was on the board of AirMalta then.
Eddy Privitera
Jul 26th 2012, 11:37
Angelo Vassallo, ruhi: Are you the investigating magistrate on the RJ70s scandal ????
One thing for sure. All the Board members were appointed by the PN prime minister Dr. EFA. And were all blue-eyed !!!!!
Victor Vella
Jul 26th 2012, 09:42
I do not understand why Mr Camilleri has to wait for so a long time to utter such information. In this case all the responsible falls on JN Tabone and directors, of whom RCC was one of them. I do not understand the face that RCC had to present himself besides the Chairman and minister to tell us how much he worked hard at Brussels to save Air Malta. To save Air Malta from what? From the bankruptcy that he and his acolytes put Air Malta from the bad decisions they took when they held high positions at Air Malta? How can Air Malta employees rest their minds if such a person was involved when he is no more reliable, has no integrity and tried to exculpate his gross mistakes by playing the second fiddle to show himself to be as clean as a sheet. The PN drama continues.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 12:30
Why you ask? Simple. If he had talked then his career would have been destroyed by those who were determined to do what they wanted to do no questions asked. Don't blame the messenger, blame those who were responsible instead!
m. borg (slm)
Jul 26th 2012, 09:41
WoW
So as the maltese saying goes, Oil floats on water and sins do not sleep.
Mr Camilleri it seems did not go to Karmenu Vella to exhonorate himself although he had refused to sign for the purchase of the Avros.
David Magro
Jul 26th 2012, 09:32
Minn hu accountable ghal flusna? Minn ha dawn id-decizzjonijiet ser ihallas ghal dawn l-izbalji? Jien meta naghmel "foul" fuq ix-xoghol irrid inhallas ta emghili? Hekk sew? Barra dawn l-affarijiet ma jigrux. Kollox jibqa ghaddej. Nitlob lil PL sabiex once in government jaghmel inkjesta fuq dan il-kuntratt issa li iz-zejt beda tiela f`wicc l-ilma.
Charlie Zahra
Jul 26th 2012, 10:04
Very well said
Ronnie Callus
Jul 26th 2012, 10:08
@ David Magro:
Naqbel mieghek Sur.Magro u nghidlek hafna ohrajn ukoll. Flusna suppost li jigu amministrati kif suppost mhux kollox fil-habi. Mela hekk sew haddiem jaqlahha go rasu meta jghamel xi zball u dawn alla jbierek fejn fallew lil Air Malta bil-konsegwenzi kollha ta' telf ta' haddiema minn maghha qiesu ma' gara xejn kollox jibqa ghaddej 'Scotch Free'. Dan mhux sewwa u kif ghad int Joseph Muscat kif ikun fil-gvern ghandu jiftah inkjesta u min kien responsabbli irid jwiegeb u jhallas ta' ghemilu. Mela mhux hekk ukoll tajjeb, hareg Tonio Fenech jghidilna li mhux se' javda l-Air Malta f'xi Cucc Malti meta kien il-Partit tieghu stess jekk mhux ukoll hu innifsu li pogga lil dawn in-nies fit-tmexxija, biex issa spiccajna nhallsu l-eluf ta' euro lil wiehed barrani. Mhemmx serjeta ta' xejn f'dan il-Gvern kif qalulu shabu stess fil-partit u kif qallhom Orlando li kull meta taparsi jghamlu xi laqgha tkun diga it-tiehdet decizzjoni ( fait accompli ) bhall fil-kaz tieghu. It-Taxpayer ghandu jiftah ghajnejh. Sur.Magro stajt ghamilt il-kuragg qabel u tkellimt ukoll.
M Muscat
Jul 26th 2012, 10:37
NAQBEL PERFETTAMENT...
A. Borg
Jul 26th 2012, 11:04
Il-huta iz-zghira QATT ma belghet il-kbira habib. Illum int u ghada jien u zgur li HADD mhu se jdardar l-ilma li ghada jista jixrob minnu!
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jul 26th 2012, 11:05
the worst thing one can do is to politicize the issue of Air Malta. Air Malta has suffered under both administrations and consequently both administrations always kept its distance from taking drastic actions against defaulters.
Moreover, chairmen who took over from previous executives failed to point any discrepancies of their outgong executives, and this in my opinion constitutes an even greater fault.
At this moment in time it is very difficult to bring anyone to justice since individuals from both political parties are involved and none of both political parties would like to expose any of their own personnel.
A case in point is Franz Camilleri. He was a Government paid up High Executive and his duty was to report to his employer (The Government) any wrong doing by the Board to be investigated. This was not brought to the Government attention and now all these years later he expects to become the hero of activities.
With all due respect the Board of Directors are not experienced airline people, but only general administraitors and these same people have to rely on the expertise of their heavily paid experienced executives.
I am in no way trying to brush off the responsibility from any particular person or board, but if Franz Camilleri knew through his vast experience that the Avros were not suitable for Air Malta he should have given more contribution before the contract was finalised. It is of no use talking now so many years later.
In my perssonal opinion the Avros could have been only a fraction cause of the downfall of Air |Malta.
Frank Massa
Jul 26th 2012, 14:27
@H Fenech Azzopardi
I agree with you 100% Poiticizing issues in Air Malta was the main cause for its downfall .The purchase of RJs and Azzurra Air were prime examples. And why mentioing them now. Whats there to gain. Bad administration was from within the airline because some or many were of the opinion that since their political party was not in government they could not care less about the airline. I am not pointing to anyone in particular but that is my opinion. I worked for Air Malta under both governments and I know what I am saying.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jul 26th 2012, 17:30
Thank you very much Frank Massa for accepting my arguments and agree to my conclusions. Air Malta was made the scape goat/dump of both political parties and served them to obtain votes to win elections.
The real interest for the National Carrier was never the main priority and the staff were made over the years to make the sacrifices which at times they lost their willingness and motivation to give their all. Some even engaged themselves in private part-time and obviously the airline suffered from this.
The Avros/Azzura air were a cause of concern but these alone were not the downfall of the carrier.
Allow me to give a typical example;
Middlesea Insurance made good profits in its infancy. There was a particular investment in neighbouring Italy which went haywire and the company made a considerable loss for years to come. The company made amends to recover such losses and only last week it declared an eight million profit.
This is my end of the story and I still wish the National Carrier good wishes in its reorganisation and pledge the new board to keep it out of politics.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 19:03
@Henry Fenech Azzopardi
Before you speak, make sure you know what you're talking about! Your statement that "the Board of Directors are not experienced airline people, but only general administrators and these same people have to rely on the expertise of their heavily paid experienced executives." shows that you either have never served on a board or that you have never been an executive in a big organization. The bottom line is that the board is ultimately responsible for the direction an organization takes and the board is responsible for guiding and charting the direction the organization takes. The board is also responsible for approving major investments and purchases made by an organization. If board members are not component to do so, as you claim, then they should be removed. In the case of Air Malta, board members were political appointees, beholden to their masters!
One of the major problems with Air Malta has always been political interference.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jul 26th 2012, 20:03
@ Wilfred Camilleri
The issue about the board of directors is that as far as I know not one of them appointed as chairman had any airline experience. Even when in its intial stages Air Malta was registering good profits and was guided by Albert Mizzi and the Late Vincent Falzon, these gentlemen had PIA executives directing them to obtain good decisions. Therefore my point is that although the Board is responsible for its decisions the technical executives just below the board have to give appropiate technical advise to the board.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 22:21
@ Henry Fenech Azzoparid
Many directors on many boards do not have any direct experience in the industry the companies operate in. Many directors are appointed to boards based on their education, experience, corporate knowledge, business knowledge, and their past accomplishments. This however does not excuse them whatsoever from due diligence and from looking at everything presented to them for approval by management, with a fine tooth comb. Again, you are speaking about things you obviously never had experience with. I sat on the Board of Directors of an international organization for over seven years so at least I know what I'm talking about.
And speaking specifically about Air Malta, do you happen to have intimate knowledge of the advise that the technical executives just below the board gave to the board? Since as you claim yourself you were not given the opportunity to work for Air Malta, you obviously don't. So please do not speak about things you know nothing about except of course from rumours and innuendo you may have heard from your favourite political party!
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jul 27th 2012, 07:30
@ Wilfred Camilleri
Your arrogance and personal comments does not win you any argument. Your boasting of having been on an international board does not make you any authority. The fact that I was not picked up to work for Air Malta does not hold any water because in my capacity of self employed in my private Travel Business gives me more access to know what is going on within the airline.
I thank God that I never worked for the airline otherwise I would have been in the problems the staff are facing with redundances, whereas my company flourished to the extent that I have something to give to my son.
However, I do not see why we have to go personal. I believe you could still make an argument without going personal and with your approach I would never dream of being in any boards that you would be chairing.
This is my final comment to end your unwarranted remarks.
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 27th 2012, 18:52
@ Henry Fenech Azzopardi
Aarrogance? Facts are now arrogance? Having been on an international board does makes me a bit more cognizant of how boards work and conduct their business than someone who has never set foot in a board room. Having more access to know what is going on within the airline does not make one provy to what goes on in a board room or the executive offices of an airline however.
You accuse me of going personal while at the same time questioning (in a personal way) the integrity of Frans Camilleri.
Please choose the reason of your report below: