Probe over flight delay caused by pilots’ chief

Toni Borg

Oct 3rd 2012, 11:09

Was this probe ever concluded?????

Anthony Arpa

Aug 23rd 2012, 13:52

Skont opinioni tas Sur Peter Borg ahna ghana nkomplu nwetqu l-istess zbalji tal imoghdi . Mhux hekk .... Peress li il poplu hekk qedin isifru b'karita ma l-Airmalta bhalljsiefru il haddiema tal l-istess kumpanija.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Aug 20th 2012, 20:00

Please let us rid ourselves of the stupid mentality that keeping people waiting is some indication of importance. It is only a demonstration of rude boorishness no matter who practices it and who does not sincerely apologise for it. That is why punctuality is appreciated as the grateful courtesy even of princes; let alone of trade union leaders.

Peter Borg

Aug 20th 2012, 18:47

On a flight back from Switzerland some three or four years ago an AirMalta captain delayed a flight by a good half an hour because a mother of three whose children were on board the plane was delayed on a train which had broken down. I don't know his name and neither did the mother in question. No strings were pulled but the kindly man still did the humane and right thing. God bless him for doing so at the time. If an AirMalta plane can wait for a delayed Prime Minister, Minister, Bishop or any other big shot it can jolly well wait for a delayed mother or union secretary for that matter. If the captain in this case is punished then all others who waited for minsters or big shots should be similarly punished as should those who gave instructions to do so. This is a publicly owned company after all not somebody's personal fiefdom.

I Bugeja

Aug 20th 2012, 16:06

If Mr. Azzopardi feels that he was going be attacked for something futile due to the position he has in the Union, then he should not have done anything to embarrass himself.

Antignolo should be questioned about this incident. The captain is just a captain not God almighty.

Zack Piccinino

Aug 20th 2012, 15:35

Will Airmalta investigate whether the instructions to the flight captain to offer assistance to the stranded passengers where issued by the company itself ?

M. Cachia

Aug 20th 2012, 14:54

The more comments I read, the more I think about what the late President Emeritus De Marco once told me: "dan hu pajjiz mibni fuq l-ghira"

This storm in a teacup was only masterminded by the usual busy bodies, dawk li m'ghandhomx x'jaghmlu b'hajjitom, to undermine the Sterling Work being done by ALPA under the leadership of Capt. Azzoppardi.

If only people know how many real issues went un-checked in Airmalta, only because the people involved happen to be from the other part of the political spectrum!!!!!!!!! And I am talking about real issues and not petty ones such as what is being implied!

Fran Abela

Aug 20th 2012, 14:32

Capt. Azzopardi did not even bother to apologise to all passengers for having made them wait. This says a lot of the man.

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Aug 20th 2012, 14:00

Could Air Malta tell us how often it has delayed flights waiting for the PM, for vrious MEPs, for local bishops and finally for RCC. Air Malta should tell us ALL the truth not only on it whom it decides to destroy.

Victor Vella

Aug 20th 2012, 10:16

Why all this fuss. I know well the management of Air Malta. I was given a transfer, without any reason, because I was a shop steward. Because I never licked JN Tabone. Because JN Tabone wanted to crash us like a bulldozer as he used to say. I was even framed up to be taken as a criminal. I was not a licker, and I never signed any letter to approve the infamous buying of the RJ70s or the big flop of the azzurra that kicked Air Malta to the ground and now we are seeeing heroes sounding their trumpets This is a storm in a teacup. Because Azzopardi is a union official. At Air Malta we used to send aircraft delayed because Primeministers and even archbishops and bishops turned out late, in one instance passengers had to wait for nearly an hour because a minister forgot to bring with him the passpor!!!!t. In another instance the chairman of Air Malta, not the incumbent one, woke up late for the flight and we had to wait for nearly an hour. During the last general election a known PN millionaire civil servant came to the airport to go to Brussels , and all of a sudden he left the airport without saying anybody to Air Malta staff of his intentions and the aircraft was delayed for 2 hours, just because we have to offload even his luggage. Later we learnt that the was so depressed that the tide was against him that he decided to leave the country.All of a sudden somebody phoned him to return to the PN headquarters to merry,making becuae the tide all of a sudden turned in their favour and his high spirtits run away with him and left more than 120 passengers hijacked for more than two hours. This same person used to delay the flight for more than one hour because he wanted a special meal and a special drink!!!!. To even make matters worse the official delay of the aircraft was never recorded to show the real delay. So Why all this fuss. If the captain in command waited for his colleague and his family he had done nothing out of the normal. I give full markds to this captain because staff can be treated over and above than other passengers. I know how other asirlines treat. their staff. If we treat so well big heads, so why not treat staff as staff.

Charles Micallef

Aug 20th 2012, 10:08

“As an airline Air Malta says its cares. Are we now going to revise this policy of waiting for grounded passengers?” he asked.

NO........ BUT are we now going to wait for all delayed passengers at the inconvenience to all the other passengers who boarded the flight, and make a mockery of the departure times? Or are some passengers more favoured than others or is this comment some sort of joke?

Lauren Bianchi

Aug 20th 2012, 10:01

U hallina tridu din zammewha fil komma - JULY 27th ta - ARA VERA PAJJIZ TAL-BIKI. KM management you are not fooling me - the sheep public maybe. Viva ir-rebranding issa - ha nuru li ghamilna xi haga- 165 or thereabouts of projects going on :


1. reduce 1 gram of cheese from tray
2. add .01 gram of pepper to chicken
3. eliminate tooth picks
4. remove stone from olive
5. reverse headrest covers
6. dilute washing hand wash to 1:2 water : hand wash
7. dim lights on board more often
8. make smaller sugar sachets
9. remove air conditioning on board
10. remove blankets
11. remove pillows
12. oh yes and fire 500 PEOPLE

13. OHHH reminder to self - ME THINKS INCREASE CEO Salary ( yes that should go on the next board meeting.)

etc etc......

Lauren Bianchi

Aug 20th 2012, 09:46

This, people, calls for something big iF they are going to persecute him for this - he is a whistle blower- AIR MALTA GIVE US HOW MUCH YOU CHARGE CERTAIN PEOPLE FOR CARGO - make that information public domain - its our tax money !!! in fact we need more people like him in this corrupt country filled with politics and stupids- people with vested interests are making this to be what it is not- because you lot as i said before are unfortunately SHEEP.

Gordon Debono

Aug 20th 2012, 09:32

He should be fired for such blatant abuse of his position once confirmed !

Sandra Camilleri

Aug 20th 2012, 09:13

Charles you know very well, that delays can cause loss of slots - is this NOT serious - being an ex airline administration staff I know how important it is for flights to depart on time. Checking in was closed and aircraft doors -so who authorised this delay. I suppose passengers were also holding concessional tickets! What a shame!

Kevin Whitehead

Aug 20th 2012, 09:02

Once in Milan I delayed a flight by 15 minutes because one of my passengers forgot his laptop at the gate and he had important work related data and I allowed him to go back to the gate escorted to get it back.
Oh I feel so guilty and my inner thoughts are killing me NOT!!
I know I did the right thing when this passenger thanked me personally.
That is why we care

Charles J. Buttigieg

Aug 20th 2012, 08:47

Late check-in is an established practice covered with operations manuals, a normal event with all airlines. It is not abnormal for airlines to wait for Passengers arriving late at check-in points due to congestion of traffic, late arrival of the connecting flight and other plausible reasons. The request normally originates by the Airline’s Representative at the Airport and when the delay is reasonable and does not disrupt the aircraft utilization for its next schedule or putting the passengers on board at risk to miss a connection, the request is granted.

Throughout my tenure of office at Air Malta there were numerous occasions when, as Duty Manager, I received calls from the Duty Officer to concur with their recommendations to delay a flight.

Together with my wife and two children, travelling to San Francisco via Los Angeles, we arrived late to check in for the last flight to an extent that the counter was closed. Through sheer compassion and true Good Customer Care the aircraft was delayed for a few minutes to take us on board. And yes, we were all travelling which concessional tickets.

Carmel Camilleri

Aug 20th 2012, 08:45

Is-sena l-ohra ic-chairman tal GOZO CHANNEL Dr.Joseph Grech kien ragel u irrezenja ghaliex il-vapur stennieh hames minuti.

Nispera li ebda partit ma jiddefendi lil president tal airline pilots’ association ta l-izball li ghamel ghaliex inkella SER INNEHHU GVERN KORROT U NAGHMLU IEHOR KORROT DAQSU.

Robert Pace Bonello

Aug 20th 2012, 08:27

Which has it always have to get political. When are w to grow up? Mr. Antignolo's comment says it alll.

Charles Micallef

Aug 20th 2012, 08:23

Such a farce could not be hidden any longer, thanks to the Times for allowing us to vent our frustrations!

Alex Antignolo

Aug 20th 2012, 08:00

I wa on that flight, and I confirm that this person came in late, and the flight was already closed, This is a real disgrace and shame on you Mr azzopardi, you were sitting infront of me and was laughing around and heard all the things you did to block that flight from leaving.

So Airmalta if you want mor info I will give you all you need-

I am happy that these investigatons are done my compliments but there should also be an answer.-

alex antignolo Torino Italy

Silvio Abela

Aug 20th 2012, 06:23

Would some of the bloggers below have posted their angst if the person involved held a different political colour?

Giancarlo Refalo

Aug 19th 2012, 23:27

The article quotes sources without actually establishing said sources' credibility. The file photo shown of Capt Azzopardi is also chosen with an agenda in mind. An obvious attack on ALPA following the recently filed dispute. .

And with regards to the professors in aviation commenting below. They do come up with the most interesting facts with regards to check in times, boarding rules etc etc. why can't people just put a sock in it and wait for the official outcome of any investigation? Then point all the fingers you want. Do you realize that you are basing all your criticism of a man based solely on an article which has the phrase "sources said" three times in the first 8 paragraphs? followed by Air Malta saying it received a NUMBER of complaints (two could be a number... Could it not?). Not to mention that the article, from the outset makes it a FACT that the captain waited 30 minutes for the ALPA president. First line of the article! A fact based on what?

Peter Cagney

Aug 19th 2012, 22:19

Leave politics, character assassinations and retribution theories aside and focus on the facts of the story.

This is a case where an Air Malta employee, possibly travelling on staff tickets, reportedly calls his colleagues at the airline and informs them that he was late for the flight and to wait for him. In doing so he leaves a planeload of passengers, which pay his salary, waiting for him for half an hour irrespective of whether passengers have appointments, connecting flights or whether the airline will incur extra costs as a result.

The fact that he was not a revenue passenger but an employee makes this incident more serious.

This does not stop here. He is not just an employee but a President of a professional body that represents pilots who know the importance of on time departures and arrivals. He has also been very vociferous about the financial situation of the airline.

Unfortunately after this incident he is not suitable to continue representing his fellow colleagues and should resign. Credibility and reputation are a must for such a post and he has lost it I’m afraid.

Robert Pace Bonello

Aug 19th 2012, 21:00

We still do not know if Capt Azzopardi was involved in the delay but we get an insight as to his arrogance and antipathy towards the airline which employs him. The tax paying public have a right to know what actually happened to a company being kept afloat by tax money. This gentleman seems to be hell bent on making sure that the airline fails. It is hoped that the enquiry will be held without delay
The flight captain has a lot of explaining to do and Air Malta must given the necessary assurances that punctuality is a priority.

Lawrence Fenech

Aug 19th 2012, 20:57

Airmalta is owned by Davies and his CEO's who kicked out 500 employees all with a written guarantee by Gonzi that their place of work was safe, i.e. ofcourse before the last election. Let's see who will be the unlucky ones to receive such letters this coming election. With it's present debt it is a laugh that Gonzi says that the airline is becoming viable.

Joseph Cauchi Senior

Aug 19th 2012, 20:57

All of us know how consistent Joseph Muscat is when he readily calls for resignations, no matter what!

Let’s see, if Joseph Muscat will call for the resignation of Capt. Dominic Azzopardi for abusing the power of his union position?

This is the hour of truth for Joseph Muscat to show all of us, his true mettle by declaring unequivocally the resignation of Capt. Dominic Azzopardi from his union position.

I have my doubts; as the saying goes “Tra il dire e il fare, c’eˋ un mezzo un grande mare”!

Come on JM, now is the time for deeds not words!

Let’s walk the walk and no longer talk the talk!

Awaiting with patience!

JC.

M. Cachia

Aug 19th 2012, 20:55

Reading some of the comments listed below makes me wonder how naive some bloggers are, perhaps due to lack of knowledge of how the airline industry works!

The decision to delay a flight and moreover to re-open a check-in counter is purely commercial in nature and it rests solely with the particular airline representative who would be in liaison with the duty manager involved!

The Operating Captain has no jurisdiction whatsoever! He can only budge-in if safety is an issue!

How many times were Captains told to delay flights because Mr. X had been just upgraded and hence the proper catering top-up should be brought on-board! We are not talking about lost passengers inside the terminal gates but about a simple meal top-up! Not to mention the astronomical cost the Airline incurs when such a last-minute top-up is made!

This story is nothing but a direct attack at the Pilot Community!

Capt. Azzoppardi, keep up your sterling work!

Victor Gelfo

Aug 19th 2012, 20:42

A case of sheer arrogance, of employesss of public funded company thinking that the company which employs them is their own!
We taxpayers had had enough with these farces in state owned companies, with the sick mentality of employees thinking that they have a job till they retire and that they can get away with murder.
To stop such mentality, and making these moribund money wasters defunct once and for all, total commercial privitization is the only answer.
All other methods and discussions are a waste of time and tax money.

Anthony Galea

Aug 19th 2012, 20:37

Did air malta managment order an investigation when flights where delayed to accomidate the orimeinister and mep's

George Joseph Cauchi

Aug 19th 2012, 20:19

Air Malta should investigate the delay of a flight (on the 18th of August 2012) from Munich to Malta after a stopover in Catania was delayed waiting for a passenger to board from Catania. I thought Air Malta flights left on time waiting for nobody.

Peter Simpson

Aug 19th 2012, 20:12

As a frequent traveler I don't know how many times my Air Malta plane lost its slot because an dignitary, a minister or his canvasser were going to loose the plane! What a shallow and callous attack on the Pilot,s Union: a disgrace!

M cutajar

Aug 19th 2012, 19:11

it is very unfair that Air Malta management is raising a similar story against Domenic Azzopardi and his family! Regrettably people continue to associate everything with the local political scenario. One needs to bear in mind that Capt Azzopardi represents the interests of a large pool of cockpit crew, hence whatever he does or recommends to government or Air Malta Management comes following a consensus amonsgt all ALPA Union members. I wonder how many pilots are able and willing to occupy such a sensible position at their workplace?!!Capt Azzopardi is not only a capable and experienced pilot but it is also very fair to make mention that during the uprisings in Libya he was one of the very few pilots to fly to Tripoli in the middle of the war!!!! As a person of integrity and respect, Capt Azzopardi is not after popularity as many of the Air Malta leadership team is but as ALPA President he has a huge responsibility to carry and few are those who understand what this role entails!! Capt Domenic, you have my full support!!

Christian Agius

Aug 19th 2012, 19:11

How shallow can Air Malta's management go to undermine ALPA's President & its Union. What a coincidence exactly 2 days after ALPA registered a trade dispute with the Airline, Air Malta's management use the front page of the Times of Malta to accommodate them in trying to obliterate the only person left causing them an Itch. Air Malta Pilots have always accommodated late arriving passengers unless they were bound with an Air Traffic Restriction whilst the lost time on the ground is always made up for it in the air with an on schedule arrival in Malta.
This is what differs our National Carrier Air Malta from other Low cost airlines.......

George Cutajar

Aug 19th 2012, 19:10

Pure and simple arrogance by Captain Azzopardi.

He should resign immediately from his position in ALPA. Rather surprising that the Labour media have not reported this case when they are always ever so ready to throw tantrums each time Air Malta is in the limelight but then Captain Azzopardi does give them a helping hand.

Leonard Cole

Aug 19th 2012, 18:55

Capt. Azzopardi and then you have the shame to represent ALPA and you would ensure progress of Air Malta.... It is very comfortable to earn money which at this stage unless Air Malta start making profit we the local citizen are the ones paying you part of your salary .... like previous blogs if the flight was schedule to depart at 1115 hrs the counter closes at 1045 Hrs not matter if there is a delay or not counter closes 30 minutes prior to departure time.... Mr. Azzopardi If you believe that the Maltese are so stupid to believe your explanation your are completely wrong...... I agree completely with the new management of Air Malta that the old web within Air Malta has to be thrown away and that includes Pilots ...... Remember earlier this year chairman of Gozo Channel resigned his post for doing something similar, why don’t you follow suit and do the same.

Sandra Camilleri

Aug 19th 2012, 18:29

all expenses entailed by AIR MALTA should be settled by passengers, what a shame. Azzopardi and passengers were delayed at checking in - 15 mins - !

Carmel Camilleri

Aug 19th 2012, 18:24

It is quite clear that all labour sympathisers came in defence of Domenic. For them as long as the person concerned is labour he can get away with murder. This at the time of a Nationalist Govt. Imagine what to expect during a labour Govt. As they say labour never change. Imagine again what these defenders of Domenic would have said if the culprit is a nationist leaning person.

John Cole Smith

Aug 19th 2012, 18:19

I am sure that Airmalta will nail this man, is it fine to take this thing seriously, when Airmalta itself , on the most important issue of all, that is making her first buck, was never really on the agenda?, All those countries who 'lost' their National Airline, .... did they die?, I don't think so. All this Patriotism, because Airmalta is Maltese, then what was Mid Med, Sea Malta, Lotto, Maltacom, and all the other silver?

As they say, nothing is forever, if Airmalta should go, then ce la vie, go it will, its just a matter of time.

Claire Busuttil

Aug 19th 2012, 18:12

if this is true.....make him resign.

Henry S Pace

Aug 19th 2012, 18:12

' Probe over flight delay caused by pilots’ chief '

This is the second time that some people think that they are more equal than others.

This instance occured on the Gozo Channel when the then chairman forced the ship to return to port to

embark all his family on board.

Dopminic Azzopardi should give a clear explanation why he did it. A siple apology would not be sufficient.

M Grima

Aug 19th 2012, 18:08

Airmalta's management have let loose their Rottweilers just to get even with Capt. Azzopardi because he has given them a hard time. The best Airmalta gaffe was when we were delayed for 90 minutes just because they traced a stolen iphone on the plane which was leaving for Manchester. After the police searched the plane and all the passengers they found nothing, but the worst was that they did not even inform the passengers. I guess the phone belonged to some 'ras kbira'.

Harry Livesey

Aug 19th 2012, 18:06

would only use air malta if desperate. they are a law to themselves

Carmel Camilleri

Aug 19th 2012, 17:57

We hope to hear more on this case. This is just an abuse of position being a captain and union chief. Great damage has been done to Air Malta when it is doing its best to gain popularity.
We hope that this case will not be buried under the carpets with others.

silvio loporto

Aug 19th 2012, 17:45

Make them pay for any expenses incurred.

cesco di luigi

Aug 19th 2012, 17:44

If Air Malta had to investigate REAL misuse of authority cases at the airline in the last 15 years or so, I think it will require a good decade of work!!!

Tonio Bone

Aug 19th 2012, 17:29

I suspect that Capt.Azzopardi might have had a huge spotlight pointed right at him, but if what is being said is proved, then I believe he might have shot himself in the foot. If the delay was due to the pilot waiting for his Chief and family, then I believe that for once in this country we might have someone that end's up being accountable and his head might, just might, roll! Let's face it, both pilot and Pilots' Chief (especially the latter in the eyes of the Authorities) are dispensable! This business model though those not apply across the board.

Lawrence Fenech

Aug 19th 2012, 16:44

Il "probe" imissa issir fuq Davies tal-500 ruh li kecca mil-Airmalta, tal-500,000 euro tax free paga partajm plus perks li ghandu, tas zewg milljuni li nefaq fit-tpingija karnival tal-ajruplani, tas-zewg milljuni li nefaq fit tarag ghal ajruplani, u wara issir "probe" fuq Gonzi talli qghad ghal dan kollu minn flus il-poplu.

Fran Abela

Aug 19th 2012, 16:43

I am not going into the merits of the case but I will say one thing: Malta sorely lack discipline in all sectors. In the case of Air Malta if its policy was that no flights will delay just because they have to wait for other passengers - all types please - the PM, Ministers, Members of Parliament, VIPs and high officials - there will not be any incidents of this type. Make it clear to all that Air Malta will not wait for passengers who turn up late for boarding. In that way no one will take advantage of one's position and all passengers will be treated equally. So much for dreaming - no one likes discipline and political parties do not enforce it in order not to lose votes and maybe it pays them to do so and in this way injustice will reign supreme because some people are more equal than others. Hopefully in 50 years' time the mentality will change but that is my dream.

zammit o

Aug 19th 2012, 16:36

The national airline and ALPA are at loggerheads on the issue of restructuring. At the same time, Air Malta will be investigating the ALPA president in connection with a delay of a flight from Milan to Malta.

Is this a coincidence or something else?

cesco di luigi

Aug 19th 2012, 16:34

I agree that an investigation be held...but not only on this incident but on ALL occasions when the Air Malta flight s are delayed for someone or other OK. Also how come Air Malta did not consider at all a serious when a flight I had booked to Bologna last July was cancelled without even one reason being given thus having to change accomodation arrangements for my family? The customer care person didn't seem that bothered at all about the inconvenience caused. So Air Malta better be careful because its customers will start asking a lot of questions after this incident.

Stephen Grech

Aug 19th 2012, 16:30

As a universal rule, checkin counters close 30 minutes prior scheduled time of departure.

If the flight schedule departure time was 11:15, who opened checkin at 11:30.?

Such given times don't match?.

M Saliba

Aug 19th 2012, 15:59

Dan seta kien incident ta' darba. Imma tal-Arriva , xhur sħaħ non Arriva mai, ħadd ma ħa responsabilita;.Peress li dan il-każ ser jistudjawh bil-lenti donnu qed jidher każ kbir.

Anthony Portelli

Aug 19th 2012, 15:46

Kull hadd l-istess mis-sema l-isfel
Kull hadd l-istess mis-sema l-isfel
Kull hadd l-istess mis-sema l-isfe
I will repeat it to myself 100 (97) times , so I might learn this.
U mbghad naraw!

stephen debono

Aug 19th 2012, 15:40

Mela kemm hi tajba din, l- ewwel il management ta l- AirMalta hargu l- early retirement schemes lill cabin crew biex jitilqu fejn tawhom somma minn flus il poplu malti, u issa hargu l- applikazzjonijiet biex jimpjegaww cabin crew godda!! Kieku kienu zejda nifimha li tghatihom somma biex jitilqu, izda la ma kienux zejda ma hi xejn hlief ezercizzju ta kacca ghall voti fejn hallas ghaliha il-poplu malti. Dawn x kummiedji huma? Spjegazzjonijiet ta dawn misshom jghatuna davies u louis farrugia u mhux jaqbdu mal hmerijiet

Lorraine Schembri

Aug 19th 2012, 15:38

Stop making a fuss out of nothing!! A few years ago we had to wait a good 5 hours delay from Catania to Malta, yes from CATANIA, just because there was no other Air Malta plane available to pick up a group of people from Palermo so they combined our flight with theirs. To top it all that means we had to first fly to Palermo before heading for Malta. I would have made it to Malta and back to Catania 10 times in those 5 hours. There weren't any prominent people in Palermo, just passenger like us. The next day it was not in the papers but if there were prominent people I can assure you that it would have been.

Wilfred Camilleri

Aug 19th 2012, 15:22

30 minute delay flying from Milan to Malta? So what? It's not like people traveling to Malta had connecting flights from Malta to somewhere else. Malta is not a hub! From my personal experience traveling in North America and other countries, delays for late passengers are quite common actually so I don't know what all the fuss is about. Of course, usually, the air bridge is still in place when such a decision is made as the ticketing/boarding agents can inform the captain that there are passengers on the way. The bigger issue is if Air Malta incurred any costs related to the delay when leaving the gate as this could have resulted in an incoming flight having to wait for the gate in Milan.

Robert Agius

Aug 19th 2012, 15:17

Animal farm!

GL Calleja

Aug 19th 2012, 14:53

This is all a bunch of banana peels. Mr Azzoppardi mentioned that often flights wait for Meps, the PM and other dignitaries, and he does not fit in any of these categories. This sounds like the Gozo Ferry incident when the CEO told the ferry to turn back because he and his family missed the flight. Air Malta just got an almost 200,000,000 Millions euros as bail out money at the expense of the TAX PAYER and the big shots at Air Malta say this is an internal affair. Let me remind these wise bananas that Air Malta is the property of the Maltese Government and yes, whether they believe it or not they they have to answer to the TAX PAYER about what goes on with the airline like they did with the Gozo Ferry investigation. Nobody is above the law, not even (ALPA) president Domenic Azzopardi, All airlines, including Air Malta advises their passengers to be at the Airport at least 2 hours before flight departure. Oh by the way in case you were not aware, Mr Azzoppardi and his family is an employee of Air Malta and usually travel on a pass, which means he is a non paying passenger. " We are Maltese and we do as we please." Air Malta should discipline the Captain that decided to wait for his boss and inconvenience a planeload of paying passengers. I am sure Mr Farrugia and Mr Davies are very aware situation. Now we know why Air Malta is in the shape it is in. Sometimes Airlines delay a flight for full paying passengers, but I never heard of an airline delaying a flight for 30 minutes to accommodate an employee, at least not in the free world.

T Attard

Aug 19th 2012, 14:47

Missed several connections . . . .and Airmalta never waited for me even though I do my best to alert them from the connecting flight; looks like the Socialist Aristocracy is training for the next few years; always a case of some animals more equal than others.

Joseph N. Attard

Aug 19th 2012, 14:44

Only one word: Accountability. And till we really have that, from top to bottom, people with perhaps a limited vocublary will forever be ending their comments with the inane phrase:"Only in Malta".

Joe Vella

Aug 19th 2012, 14:40

Is-Socjalisti Maltin aask others to be accountabble for thier actions, but they expects that they will be excempted to account for their actions. Double standards, Shame.

Pat Gatt

Aug 19th 2012, 14:20

In my opinion this is a personal attack on captain Azzopardi. He has been trying to save Air Malta and now because the flight is delayed we crucify him on the front page. That Air Malta waits for delayed passengers is the norm not an exception. However none has been heard about Air Malta vacancies for recruit of permanent cabin crew. Yes permanent cabin crew. So few months back they told us that Air Malta needs to shed off jobs and now they need more employees???

Joe Morana

Aug 19th 2012, 14:18

Arrogance in Malta (and in this case, abroad) knows no bounds! This case is akin to the one where the President of Gozo Channel who was accompanied by his family, requested that the ferry which had departed Gozo on time, be turned back because he, the president, was late.

Both responsible parties should be severly chastised if the Air Malta investigation concludes that they are to blame. Malta's national airline cannot afford to have its image tarnished with
such provincial nepotism and inane shenanigans. Besides, the pilot could have been more subtle and reported he had a red light that just wouldn't go out and apologised to the passengers for the delay!

Lawrence Bonello

Aug 19th 2012, 14:07

Way back in the 90's I was on a flight to Malta from Rome when the aircraft was made to return to the terminal to 'pick up a VIP'. He was a minister at the time (I will not mention names out of respect to his memory, since he has, since then, passed away). He was also accompanied by members of his immediate family who had been to Rome on a shopping trip.
As it turned out, the flight lost its slot in the departure queue and had to take on extra fuel, which caused a three hour delay. Airmalta offered us a 'complimentary drink' during the wait, but then, when the meals were served we were informed that there were no drinks available as they had been already distributed to us passengers as 'complimentary'!!
I wonder how many 'investigations' were held in this case. Is this another case of strong with the weak and weak with the strong?

Raymond Saliba

Aug 19th 2012, 14:03

Li xi hadd ikun kagun ta' dewmien fit-tluq b'raguni valida ghandu jkun skuzat u tajjeb li tistennieh....nista nkun jien u zgur napprezza att bhal dan.! Jekk pero din il-haga ssir b'abbuz ghandhom jittiehdu l-passi dixxiplinari. Pero li qed nara ironiku f'dan il-kaz hu li donnu rridu naghmlu show b'persuna pubblika li hi kritika ghal kumpanija u per konsegwenza, ghal Gvern. Bosta jafu kemm is-sur Azzopardi jimmilita favur il-gid tal-kumpanija, partikolarment il-Piloti. Jien mhux darba u tnejn meta nuza l-Air Malta nibla xi delay jew ikolli xi connaction bla sens li tisraqli hafna hin prezjuzz. Meta l-kumpanija tiehu dawn il-kazi (li huma hafna u ripetuti) u taghmel investigazzjoni fuqhom ukoll.....forsi nehodha bis-serjeta!! Forsi b'bosta kazi fejn isiru d-delays ikunu nvoluti l-Ministri u l-bella compania mhux hekk.......

A Mifsud

Aug 19th 2012, 13:55

Wow! check-in was re-opened. if that's true then there was definitely something fishy going on. easy investigation.....there will be a record of when he checked in and if air malta publish that it will stop all these assumptions.

mark borg

Aug 19th 2012, 13:55

dawk kollha li qed jghajtu ghar rezenja tal kaptan ghax halla nofs siegha lil nies ijstennew (u x aktarx mhux veru ).....................fejn kienu meta intalbet ezempju il jirezenja il ministru responsabli tal fjask ta l-arriva li halla pajjz shih jistenna lil tal linjama malta kollha ????? ghal sieghat shah fix xemx u xita hafna drabi ghal ma nafx kemm il xhar !......wara il miljuni f taxxa li swew il pajjiz u min fuq jghid lil poplu, li mhux qed jitlef irqad !

mark johnson

Aug 19th 2012, 13:45

Please read the article again.

The check-in closed on time. The aircraft was due to leave at 11:15.

If the ALPA president did not check-in until 11:30 then the flight captain, unless he is psychic, knew that he had to wait for his president because he must have been informed he was late checking in.

Checking in happens BEFORE security.

The airline claims the ALPA president checked-in at 11:30, fifteen minutes after due departure of the flight.

Why did they re-open check-in?

My guess is that the flight captain told the ground crew that he was not leaving until the ALPA president was onboard.

A Dimech

Aug 19th 2012, 13:45

I was once connecting on a flight in London, and AirMalta did wait for me and my travelling partners. I never forget that and continued to use AirMalta whenever I could - because that was first class service.

I think the pilot should be honoured for his decision, because AirMalta pilots do these thing no matter who the individual is. It just happens that this time it was an important person.

Justin Tabone

Aug 19th 2012, 13:23

Il-connections minn Milan disastru....min jesperjenza l-arragonza ta' dan l-airport biss jista' jitkellem. Tistenna connection u jghidulek li sar il-hin ghal break waqt il-hin tal-boarding. Qabel ma tippuntaw subajkom lejn xi hadd iccekkjaw sew l-affarijiet.

Frank Zammit

Aug 19th 2012, 13:22

I really cannot understand why people like Mr. Falzon feels he is competent enough to comment on such things. I mean this real leave me po faced and wondering whether this is really all worth it. All of us at one point or the other waited for passengers who got lost at the Airport, still have to arrive at the airport (still in the coach), passengers who's connecting flight is delayed, compassionate reasons and almost any other reason you can think of.

Once, out of Malta, I was asked to wait for cargo that was still at the Factory. I waited for an hour (and rightly so) with the passengers on board because 800 jobs depended on that cargo arriving at its destination. Another time a person who considered himself a VIP, phoned the Air Malta representative in Franckfurt to tell me to wait for him because he had lost the train.

We exist to give a service, and we do. The service we give is a service that no LOW COST Airline can give or is willing to give. We care about the passengers, and we also care about the best interest of the country.

But what precisely are you suggesting Mr. Falzon? Should the Air Malta read the riot act to us or perhaps we should all resign because we give a better service than some others? Take my advice, especially if your comment is politically motivated, do not let the genii out of the bottle you might not like to even get wind of what the genii has to say

mark borg

Aug 19th 2012, 13:21

@ lil kull nazzjonalist li kiteb kumment hawn taht ......

kulhadd jaf il pn falla bil kbir din il kumpanija li bena il labour (bhal hafna kumpaniji ora) ...jigifieri hadd mhu se jimpressjona ruhu ghax ajruplan ajruplan telaq nofs siegha tard...hlief xi erba iflustrati li qed ipappu bhalissa u jafu li daqt tinqatalhom ........

Robert Lewis

Aug 19th 2012, 13:19

And some days ago a woman was left on a bus stop cause the Arriva driver had already closed the door, which of course I don't blame him if those are the rules in order to keep on schedule. As regards the MEPs, the ex EU ambassador and the PM, kindly note that they use private jets.

carmel muscat

Aug 19th 2012, 13:18

prosit hey sur domnic veru zlaqt fin nixxef bli ghamilt djjem jekk huwa veru dan li ghadni kemm qrajt hawn fuq ghax fil waqt li inti xbajt tider fuq it tv teqred kemm l airmalta qeda titlef flus biex stennew lijlek intilfu hafna flus hekk sew ??????????????????????????????

mark borg

Aug 19th 2012, 13:15

@Tony Borg

Get a life !

Anthony A. Mifsud

Aug 19th 2012, 13:14

When you have traveled with Air Malta for as long as I have traveled 34 years and counting, this minor little issue is just a swell in a tea cup.
Do you realy want to know how many delays I had, technical or non technical, runs on the runway, and get sent in some hotel!
More over getting bumped off, as in some cases we had to enure the first come first serve, who worked in Libya From 1977 - 2011 can stand up and speak.
That is why we called Air Malta (taxi) no disrespect but, we got treated like so.
This little issue, it's nothing to mone about, last month the same happened to me, but from Rome and, although I was on time, I nearly got trown out, or left out.
Air Malta charged me €3 for a small glass of wine, as I was trown with catle class seats, as the check in counter was closed.
Who want to comment on our national carrier ?
Ninu

K. Vella

Aug 19th 2012, 13:09

Tghidt lilna jistennewna?

Halli jsiru l-investigazzjonijiet u wiehed mbaghad ikun jista jikkumenta....

T Mifsud

Aug 19th 2012, 13:02

I think the instigators of this article chose the path of confrontation to attack pilots. Well done guys, you show the respect you have for the people who have to see us safe on our travels. What a shame!

Alfred Cassar

Aug 19th 2012, 12:59

Whats all the fuss about, he's el Capitano, I never had an airplane wait for me, instead, my seat at times was sold as a 'hop on'.,

As has been said by some wise blogger, its only a film of paint.

It is very similar to a beautiful cake covered with Chocolate, but inside this cake one only finds rotten eggs.

John Holmes

Aug 19th 2012, 12:54

This week, as the song goes, there is trouble, on the land , air and sea.

The people on this Island enjoyed the three main shows, Marsaxlokk, Airrmalta, Gozo Channel!

Keep it up guys , well done.

G Falzon

Aug 19th 2012, 12:46

This smells closely of another very similar Gozo Channel story.......

brian spiteri

Aug 19th 2012, 12:41

@ Martin said

Aqra din u ara jekk hux tal biki aktar!!! dawk il- miljuni li jissemmew fl- artiklu zgur int hrigthom u mhux ta gonzi!!!

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120819/opinion/Facts-about-the-RJ-aircraft.433420

Mela il-bloggers nazzjonalisti dawk li ma jahmlux lill piloti u lill Airmalta ghax ghandhom ghira kbira jitkazaw b` dan il- kaz li ghadu l- anqas gie investigat u ippruvat, imma fuq dan l- artiklu ma jghidu xejn!!! Titkazaw b'min forsi sewa lill kumpanija ftit euros u mhux b` min swiha il- miljuni bl- inkompetenza!!!

vella m

Aug 19th 2012, 12:29

TUTTI UGUALI,my left foot.LOL

Sharon Grima

Aug 19th 2012, 12:17

I really wish to know why some people who cannot distinguish a plane from a car opt to fire statements,before inquiry is even concluded.Shame on those who divulged wittingly the incident.If Domnic ,was really late, as they ar me accusing him ,how come checkin opened again.Let the inquiry finish and then we can start accusing!

Jurgen Farrugia

Aug 19th 2012, 12:13

Yes sure sometimes a flight is delayed by a few minutes if there is a problem in check-in or the connected flight is delayed, but when this happens the check-in gate won't be closed, the air-bridge disconnected and the only people left are a captain and President of a Union and his family. And if some flights wait for the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition or MEP's (from both parties), this is a common thing all over the world. Some countries go as far as the Prime Minister/President/MEP having a plane (which belongs to the state) which is exclusively for their use. Although I don't agree with preferential treatment, one have to put things into perspective and understand that a Prime Minister or MEP or Opposition Leader can be late for various reasons since they are not on a private vacation, however.

M Cassar

Aug 19th 2012, 12:13

A bad move by Mr Azzopardi. What Mr Azzopardi has allegedly done has unfortunatley destroyed his credibility.....a great pity as he had some very good arguments about the way that Air Malta is being restructured.

brian spiteri

Aug 19th 2012, 12:12

@ E Zammit

Istar f` daqqa wahda kemm sirt tithassar l- airmalta!!! fejn kont int meta tberbqu il- miljuni fl- RJ`s u l- Azzurra li fallew lill AirMalta?

martin said

Aug 19th 2012, 12:00

Tal biki! Izjed u izjed jekk hallast jien ghal vjagg tieghu!

Ahjar nieqaf hawn.

mark borg

Aug 19th 2012, 11:56

ha hah hah sur azzopardi ..dalwaqt iwahhlu fik li il mittejn miljun ewro dejn li ghanda l-airmalta ..tort tieghek ghax mort nofs siegha tard !!! .........stennijhom dawn l-affarijiet ghax qbist ghal haddiem taht regime bhal tal gonzipn !

Anthony Arpa

Aug 19th 2012, 11:55

Min ikun responsabli ghandu jkun ta ezempju ... Airmalta qed taghmel kull sforzi biex tirkupra u certament dawn l affarijiet zgur li hsara jaghmlu lil Airmalta u mhux gid ....

Kenneth Williams

Aug 19th 2012, 11:52

Is Santa marija x ghageb !! Mbilli kellu habib u qallu biex jistennieh ftit x gara b daqshekk?? Isiru tant gaffes bejn il hbieb hawn malta fuq nofs siegha dan l ghageb....kien hawn min ha Power station ghax kellu l hbieb

M. Bezzina

Aug 19th 2012, 11:45

Cara l istorja motiv politiku biex ihammeg lil Cpt.Azzopardi

E Zammit

Aug 19th 2012, 11:43

These type of incidents will only cause harm to an airline which has a very important contributing factor to give to our economy. So much is being done to put the airline back on a sound economic footing and to ensure its operational survival.
It is utterly unacceptable for anyone to put at risk, however small that risk might be, the smooth running of the airline. This incident becomes much more amplified when it is caused by someone who should know better, someone who is entrusted by the same company as one of its flight Captains !!!!
Pity, such incidents will cause the people to lose confidence it the airline, causing loss of custom which may be very detrmental to the companys economic survival. Air Malta has to act fast, assertively and make its decisions known to the public. Finally it has to make sure that such incidents are not repeated again in the future.

Pule' Carmel

Aug 19th 2012, 11:43

Captain and President of Airline is given preferential treatment ahile they do not pay for the flight.
Chairman of Gozo Channel line given preferential treatment, and I wonder ifhe paid for theflight.
Philharmonnic Orchestra given preferential treatment because this is art and not some cargo truck.
MEP given preferential treatment in addition to higher salaries and perks.
Prime ministers and Mp given preferential treatment in addition to pension benenfits
Petrol station applicant at Mgarr is given ‘privileged treatment’
They who built that monstrosity behing fort Saint Angelo have won preferential treatment.
Those who built at Wied il Kalkara have been given preferential treatment.
Those campers at San Tumas, Mellieha, Gnejna Armier, Dwejra all get preferential treatment.
I wait in queues but court employees and lawyers get preferential treatment by the security at the courts.

and if I complain that the road beside my house has been made too high, I do not get preferential treatment to lower it to what it is supposed to be below the damp course and pavement.

And by the way, as I am a Full Professor at the University of Malta, My daughter did not get any benefits, but a Full Captain with AirMalta, his family get all the benefits. Should my child and wife have got preferential treatment a the University!!!

need I go on.
In Malta we have as much distribution of rights to the people as much as Communist Russia and China had.
All this make me confirm that I should have sought the profession of a criminal and a tattoed body.

C. Sammut

Aug 19th 2012, 11:42

Hmm seems like someone wants Mr Azzopardi's head..... I wonder why...?? anybody gives a good guess???

Eddy Privitera

Aug 19th 2012, 11:33

Cara l-istorja ! Mr. Azzopardi u l-familja kienu passiggieri biss, minkejja li Dominic Azzopardi hu ukoll pilota mal-Air Malta. Mela anki jekk kienuj xi ftit tard, kif jista jigri lill-kullhadd, la s-soltu l-ajruplan jistenna, ma tkunx waqghet id-dinja ghax l-ajruplan stenna li-s- Sur Azzopardi u l-familja !

Imma billi Dominic Azzopardi huwa l-President tal-Union tal-Piloti, u forsi wkoll ghax ma jappartjenix ghal-klikka ta' GonziPN, qeghdin ifittxhulu x-xaghra fl-ghagina !

brian spiteri

Aug 19th 2012, 11:32

Min qed jghid li il- pilots ta l- AirMalta ma jistennewx lill passiggieri li ikunu tard, huwa jew giddieb jew ma jafx x qed jghid inkella imqabbad mill management tal kumpanija biex jikteb fuq il- blogs kontra il- president ta l- ALPA. Jien hdimt ma l- AirMalta ghall madwar 15 il- sena bhall kaptan u dejjem konna nistennew lill passiggieri li ikunu tard, tant li l- istatistka li kienet tohrog il-kumpanija ta l- on-time perfotmance kienet turi li il- maggoranza assoluta tar ragunijiet ghalfejn l- ajruplani johorgu tard hi ghax jistennew lill passiggieri li ghall xi raguni jew ohra jaslu tard. Hemm drabi fejn ma tkunx tista tistenna ghax titlef departure slot u jekk tintilef ikollok tistenna gieli sieghat bix jghatuk ohra, allura il- piloti ma jiehdux riskju f` dan il- kaz. Departure slots huma komuni hafna f` airports li huma busy bhall Heathrow u Frankfurt. Il-policy ta l- kumpanija li qieghed maghha illum hi li l- ajruplan jitlaq fil hin u ma tistenna lill hadd.

George Mifsud

Aug 19th 2012, 11:32

Can we please stop politicising this issue?

Apart from being the president of whatever union, first and foremost Capt.Azzopardi is an Air Malta employee and as such is expected to give a service to Air Malta's paying customers.

I am also sorry to note that even with the much touted ''reforms'', Air Malta still leaves much to be desired.

A. Falzon

Aug 19th 2012, 11:32

Captain Azzopardi and the flight Captain should resign. A plane full of tourists and Maltese alike were waiting. If he was 15 mins late after closing Check Inn that is his and the other passengers problem and not Air Malta's fault. Who is going to compensate the oher passengers now?

Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO

Aug 19th 2012, 11:31

We have to condemn the abuse of any public transport entity especially when this inconveniences other travelers who have paid their due fare for a scheduled trip and have their own arrangements and timeline stymied by arriving late at their destination by acts which are certainly not acts of God. Whether it is a senior airline pilot, government delegation, an MP or any other local VIP this is a serious abuse and gives the entity a very poor name. I have on innumerable occasions seen this happen with Gozo channel and on fewer occasions with Air Malta where strangely the late passengers invariably seem to occupy the executive section of the aircraft.
However it does seem strange that in Malta by some strange coincidence leaders of unions who who become incooperative or oppose when controversial decisions or plans are being implemented by government suddenly become the subjects of attacks on their integrity. I remember the head of the nurses union becoming the focus of such an attack when two ministers rushed to hospital and depicted him as the most irresponsible and uncaring villain. I remember when the head of the banking union just before the HSBC takeover was suddenly found guilty of some gross misconduct . Now it is the case of the head of the pilot union to find himself in the same predicament. The former union of the teachers union was fortunately spared but only just because he was too straight. One asks therefore are our union leaders out there enjoying privileges attached to complying and are expected to just pretend they are fighting for their members' cause on serious matters?.

Anthony Arpa

Aug 19th 2012, 11:29

Safejn naf jien Ajruplan iva jistenna xi ftit l- iktar meta ikun hemm transit flight ma l istess flight mela le .... Imma la tkun tnehha it tarag u ghalaq il biebien daqsekk ta gewwa gewwa u ta barra barra... Kull min isifer jaf li dan irried ikun l-Airport Satejn qabel il flight ... Anki jekk f'dan il pajjiez kollox huwa possibli jien nemmen li zball ma jirrangax bi zball iehor u jien inhoss li kull min jizbalja ghandu jhallas ghal l-izball tijaw ...

Francis Sammut

Aug 19th 2012, 11:22

''He insisted it was normal procedure for pilots to delay take-off for late passengers'' This is not true at all. After the last announcement is broadcast, then the gates are closed and there's no chance in hell one is allowed entry to the apron and into the aircraft. With this statement it means only one thing, that he was late, nothing more. Reference to the aircraft waiting for MEP's, EU ambassador and the PM, that is another matter. And that bit about 'that the airline cares' has nothing to do with the issue at hand. For security reasons alone, when the gates are closed no one is allowed in or out. Imagine as Mr. Azzopardi would have us believe every time somebody is late, the aircraft is full of passengers, ready for take-off has to wait, connect the steps again so that whoever it is wont lose the flight. This is ridiculous and the ALPA president knows this. Not even a bus wont wait for you if you're not on the bus stop on time!
This reminds me of the Gozo Channel delay, only that time the chairman was involved. Now it's the ALPA president's turn!

J. Scicluna

Aug 19th 2012, 11:18

It would be intresting to know whether Cpt Azzopardi were travelling as full paying OR free passengers.

Moreover, would someone who is more into airline operations try to give an estaimate of what this delay and re-opening of the aircraft doors actually cost Air Malta?

Not to mention the aggravation to the passengers and any resulting claimes for compensation.

So, according to Cpt Azzopardi and his cockpit buddies the re-Branding of Air Malta was an expense that could have been avoided . What about having an aircraft full of passengers waiting on him and his family; could THAT not have been avoided? All he had to do was respect the required check-in times like all the "mortal" passengers that are paying for his salary.

Oh! BTW, what kind of a salary increase is ALPA asking for? I'll bet its another double digit!

Both Cpt Azzopardi and the operating captain should step down.

Toni Borg

Aug 19th 2012, 11:05

Am sitting in front of TV watching ONE News to see if they feature this article in their news bullettin!

Any guesses that I am may be wasting me time?

Philip Mamo

Aug 19th 2012, 11:00

Surely the captain wouldn't have waited for me as I am just an ordinary person. How right was George Orwell that "all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others". We have had similar episodes with the Gozo Channel too.

mark borg

Aug 19th 2012, 10:58

Sur Azzopardi...mohhok hemm ghax qed thabbatta ma nies ta poter kbir li qed jakkwistaw bil kbir min hemm gew, u jibzaw minnek ghax kxiftilhom il borom.....mossa tipika organizzata min klikka perikoluza......ninsab cert li se jibqu jghamlu min kollox sa kemm fl ahhar tghadi taghhom......il poplu mhux iblah u jaf li se jipruvaw jidemonizawk..ghax inzertajt ta kulur politiku differenti minnhom.

P Bonnici

Aug 19th 2012, 10:57

This is similar to the Gozo ferry incident when the ship was delayed for someone.

M Mallia

Aug 19th 2012, 10:56

Ghalxejn qed teqirdu. Hemm kien u hemm jibqa. J'alla ma jkollix ragun imma probabbli bhas-soltu ha jigri, jumejn u jintesa kollox :(

A Galea

Aug 19th 2012, 10:55

It is disgusting that Air Malta issues such a statement when it didn't even conclude the inquiry.

Character killing!

Mario Tabone-Vassallo

Aug 19th 2012, 10:53

Jekk din tassew, tal-misthija, ta' ghajb u thabbir ikrah ghall-gejjieni

Austin grech

Aug 19th 2012, 10:50

I was on the plane heading to Paris on the 11 of August when a similar incident happend. We waited for a passenger for around the same time. The passenger never showed. But wait we did. If Air Malta takes action against this family, than the same should be done to this passenger too. Equal justice to all I always say.

N Mifsud

Aug 19th 2012, 10:46

It seems that Capt Azzopardi spelled out his own verdict in his defensive interview. Shame on him! But ultimately the whole responsibility falls on the flight’s captain who decided to delay the flight. This flight captain should have been mentioned by name in this article.

This is similar to what happened at Gozo Channel recently. Unfortunately these isolated unprofessional incidents taint the reputation of their own colleagues, the Company they work for and Malta. Unless companies, trade unions and political parties agree on a zero tolerance on such issues, no matter who the person is, such shameful incidents will continue to happen!

Mario P. Sciberras

Aug 19th 2012, 10:37

Franco Debono, JPO, Capt. Domenic Azzopardi, dawk ta' Cana u ta' Marsaxlokk and many others,....Aren't we blessed to have the privelage of living in an island like ours?
Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws (Plato).

Joe Vella

Aug 19th 2012, 10:34

Arroganza Socjalista tiega bdiet tidher, ara ahseb dawn la jkunu fl' Gvern. Mur zomhomm.

Jay Oatmon

Aug 19th 2012, 10:29

The simple answer is this is unprofessional 'special treatment' for Capt. Azzopardi who never paid for a ticket of course - he is supposed to set a good example for junior pilots.

1. He needs to stand down as the airline pilots’ association (ALPA) president.
2. He and his family need to be left behind in future the same as other passengers who have paid for their tickets.

paul camilleri

Aug 19th 2012, 10:29

Now we know why our beloved airline is loosing money by waiting 30 minutes for a VIP late arrival must of cost the airline a lot of money just how much money only the airline can say this information would be appreciated by us tax payers that have to pay these expenses.
also how did the airline pilot know that Capt Azzopardi was on his way?? perhaps Capt Azzopardi called the pilot via mobile and told him to wait.!!

it is not normal that a flight is delayed if the pilot knows that passengers have not boarded. i just managed to catch a flight Rome Malta only because the boarding doors were still open and was told by the check in clerk i was lucky another minute i would of lost the flight!!!!! so explain how a flight which should of taken off 30 minutes ago is still waiting for passengers????

i think Airmalta needs to look not only at Capt Azzopardi but also the capt who was flying the plane!!!

vincent Lia

Aug 19th 2012, 10:21

Tghid lili kienu jistenewni, jew trid tkun min tal klikka tal union tal pilots. Dan kas ta abbus mil evidenza ta hawn fuq, u min hu hati ghandu jirizenja jew jitkecca.

S Kelly

Aug 19th 2012, 10:21

How incredibly arrogant, selfish and rude. Is it possible that there is no other alternative to this guy who can represent the pilots, so that we will finally no longer have to read about him anymore and he can go bury himself far out of sight?

Paul Abela

Aug 19th 2012, 10:19

A 30-minute flight delay to pick up four non-revenue Club passengers ! One wonders how much this delay has costed AirMalta...Of course it is public interest and not just 'an internal matter"!

Martin Zerafa

Aug 19th 2012, 10:18

Capt Azzopardi are you comparing yourself with the Hon Prime Minister of our country.

Philip Mamo

Aug 19th 2012, 10:16

I am sure that if I was late the pilot would not have waited for me to board the plane as I am not a god with feet of clay. How right was George Orwell when he stated that 'All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others'. We had other similar instances of passengers waiting on board the Gozo Ferry for more than thirty minutes for the National Philharmonic Orchestra at the request of the Victoria local council in June this year recalling to memory.

Joseph Agius

Aug 19th 2012, 10:15

What arrogance! Yes Captain Azzopardi I expect Air Malta to revise the policy for grounded passengers. It is rude to turn up late...be it being Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition or pilot!

brian spiteri

Aug 19th 2012, 10:14

Min ghadda din l informazzjoni lit times? Din hi mossa biex ikissru wahda mill iktar unions b sahhithom li baqa fil pajjiz ghax Domenic hu il president ta l- union tal piloti. Il- haddiem gabuh miskin u bla sahha. Min berbaq miljuni kbar f din il- kumpanija baqa ma refax responsabbilta anzi ghamluhom allat, u kif jizgarra ftit il-haddiem isallbuh!!!

Mr C Galea

Aug 19th 2012, 10:09

messy indeed , let hope the truth does really come out.

T Mifsud

Aug 19th 2012, 10:05

This is a shame! The shame falls on the instigators of this article.

The shame is because it is very well known that Captains DO WAIT FOR PASSENGERS MANY TIMES to give a service. Even if a few minutes. This is true especially on connecting flights, security problems, transport problems, passengers shopping ignoring last calls ... and to make it more colourful ... VIPs who are many times notoriously late arriving in cars. Are MPs and dignitaries always on time? Did they never hold an aircraft because they were late?

Joe Sammut

Aug 19th 2012, 10:02

"He insisted it was “normal procedure” for pilots to delay take-off for late passengers, saying flights were often delayed for MEPs, the former EU ambassador and the Prime Minister, among others.”

Well we all know that “MEPs from both sides , the former EU ambassador and the Prime Minister and the Leader of the opposition” don’t let passengers wait while they are on holiday with their families.

Comparing oneself to these public officers while on duty puts Mr Azzopardi in a bad light.

He was on holiday and he’s not the prime minister.

Standards can remain the same. He’s an employee of Air Malta and probably unlike the rest of the waiting passengers, didn’t pay for his flight tickets.

An airline which cares does not leave a planeload of passengers waiting for a whole half hour frustrated on the airport taxiway, with the doors closed and a disconnected bridge.

Guy Mahoney

Aug 19th 2012, 10:02

"Are we going to revise this policy of waiting for grounded passengers?".....what cheek! As a pilot he should set an example; he should know much better and be there on time. Does this pilot compare himself with the Prime Minister, MEPs or Ambassadors?? If an airline has to wait indefinitely for late passengers there would be total chaos. This is sheer abuse of 'authority', nothing less. AirMalta is encouraged to continue taking this matter 'very seriously'.

Chris Gatt

Aug 19th 2012, 09:59

"Are we now going to revise this policy of waiting for grounded passengers?”

there's a policy to wait for grounded passengers? Good to know. That's all right then.

Joe Muscat

Aug 19th 2012, 09:58

All Political....So Obvious....! Maybr Captain Azzopardi does nothave any friends with private jets....

Lucienne Dimech

Aug 19th 2012, 09:58

Would the plane have waited or anyone else? Still it would not have been justified. Delays ost money and give a bad reputation.

Victor Vella

Aug 19th 2012, 09:54

Are we now going to revise this policy of waiting for grounded passengers?
So why didn't Airmalta flight from Heathrow wait for me when I had a problem with my lugguage.I was checked in without lugguage, but had a lap top case and a small carry on bag,I was stopped at the gate and had to go back and check in 1 of the bags.When I wen to the desk check in was closed and I was left stranded.Imma jien mhux xi gran che ux bicca passiggier.No Air Malta can go to the rocks as far as I am concerned I will fly other airlines.

Lucas North

Aug 19th 2012, 09:46

I recall that someone of his acquaintance has done something relatively similar...

Mario Busuttil

Aug 19th 2012, 09:46

Kieku kont jiena ...Addio flight...ikolli nerga inhallas u nistenna bhal Bahnan!!!!!!

Charles Micallef

Aug 19th 2012, 09:46

"flights were often delayed for MEPs, the former EU ambassador and the Prime Minister, among others",

This is sheer abuse of power irrespective of who they are delaying the flight for, you will not find another civilised country when 150 plus passengers are kept waiting to please who ever........AND NO WONDER THAT AIR MALTA is in the present state of affairs, when the ones who are paid to serve the public abuse them instead!

Criss Camilleri

Aug 19th 2012, 09:45

Of course they do, immma, this is just because it happened to be you & your wife.

Franco Farrugia

Aug 19th 2012, 09:44

'Capt. Azzopardi claimed the airline was getting back at him with a personal attack ...'
It's not Capt Azzopardi Air Malta is 'getting back at' but at the actual Captain of that flight, for his and his alone was the responsibility.
But does this mean that Azzopardi is therefore immune to company discipline, and that he can do anything he likes, as otherwise he would cry foul? I think not.
Listen... Malta, especially in the past, was used to these antics of people being considered to be above others. This is all part of the law of the jungle and it has to stop. And the captain concerned should also have considered to plight of the passengers sweating it out on board, patiently waiting for the royal travellers to arrive.

Robert Henry Bugeja

Aug 19th 2012, 09:42

This is how the "taparsi Christian democratic" GonziPN deals with those who are against his lunatic decisions.

Partit ta l'ipokriti u backstabbers.

Mr Joe Frendo

Aug 19th 2012, 09:40

....the flight’s captain ordered that the door be opened again and for the check-in to be re-opened.

From Capt. Azzopardi comments, it seems that it is normal for Airmalta flights to reopen a closed checkin and bring back the bridge for late passengers and delay a flight, once it is already closed.

May I kindly ask Airmalta, or Capt Azzopardi, to forward the details where one needs to call to advise when he is late for his flight, so that the flight's captain will know about that passenger and reopens the doors and the checkin counters please? This is very useful!

Only in 'Air' Malta!

JF

Charles Micallef

Aug 19th 2012, 09:39

This incident needs to be investigated by an independent inquiry, and the appropriate action taken against the Captain for delaying the flight. I have never heard that a flight was delayed for half an hour because some passengers had a problem with security... if this is case this is scandalous!

Unless KM addresses the issue of the flight delays, they can throw buckets of cash at it as if it wants to compete with other airlines they have to take the issue of punctuality seriously....!

C Cassar

Aug 19th 2012, 09:39

"He insisted it was “normal procedure” for pilots to delay take-off for late passengers, saying flights were often delayed for MEPs, the former EU ambassador and the Prime Minister, among others."

While I disagree with delaying flights for people who are clearly late, how can Mr Azzopard compare himself to the Prime Minister? After all Mr Azzopard, you're simply a big bus driver, that's all.

Toni Borg

Aug 19th 2012, 09:36

So is Captain Azzopardi liking himself to an MEP, former EU ambassador and the Prime Minister???

Peter Murray

Aug 19th 2012, 09:33

Dear Capt.Azzopardi,

Only you and the pilot concerned know the full facts .In any event,when you rock the boat(or should that be tilt the airleons) you will be a marked man, so you may expect witch-hunts over real -or imagined-peccadilloes.

John Vella

Aug 19th 2012, 09:33

i hope they wait for me too next time i arrive late for check in!!!!!

T Mifsud

Aug 19th 2012, 09:32

Is this the start to dirty tactics by killing the messenger? We all know too well these tactics. When it doesn't suit certain people, an attack on the person, instead of the issue commences in an attempt to weaken opposition about the issue.

Dennis Zammit

Aug 19th 2012, 09:31

So Capt. Azzopardi is comparing himself to the Prime Minister and MEPs duly elected by the people?

The plane's captain who took the abusive decision should be named and shamed. Furthermore, I plead to all passengers to request compensation from Airmalta who should then claim the amount from the two Captains involved.

This would teach them a lesson.

Anthony Arpa

Aug 19th 2012, 09:27

For a Similar Reason the Chairman of the Gozo Chanel have gave his Resination .This after a fuss on the incident by the media ...

Victor Laiviera

Aug 19th 2012, 09:26

Looks like its payback-time for Mr Azzopardi for sticking up for AirMalta employees.

S. Zammit

Aug 19th 2012, 09:26

He should resign just like the chairman of the Gozo Channel.