Data confirms Sunday Times report on delay caused by ALPA president - Air Malta

Angelo Vassallo

Aug 21st 2012, 20:07

@ R Abela

"But let's hope this is not all political character assassination"

The cases of Carm Mifsud Bonnici and Richard Cachia Caruana were of POLITICAL CHARACTER ASSAINATION but surely not this one.

This is definatley not a political character assassination case. Captain Dominic Azzopardi is not a politician or a Civil Servant, he is a Trade Unionist. If the alleged accusation is true, than that will be nothing else than ABUSE OF POWER. To make things worse for him, he was travelling on cheap flights which are subsidized from OUR TAXES.

Tony Borg

Aug 21st 2012, 11:48

May I ask? How can an off duty captain on holiday stop a plane from leaving a foreign airport?

Lino Busuttil

Aug 21st 2012, 09:24

I do not agree that these things happened in the past (only), they happen all the time and are happening just now on many departures, for people who get stuck in security, sometimes for people who get lost in airports, even for groups who's transport is cought up in traffic.
Who are these people kidding, honestly, anyone thinks italian check in staff would know or care who this person (Mr Azzopardi) is? The fact that they opened check in shows that it was their decision as usually is done in any case. Mr Azzopardi was treated like any other passenger, no more no less.

James Fenech

Aug 21st 2012, 09:13

How come Air Malta has not yet stated that the Check-In was closed earlier than when it should have?

How come it mentions what time he actually checked in but not the time the Azzopardi Family actually arrived at the Airport and found the Check In closed?

Why is Air Malta so selective on what it is leaking to the times?

Is this payback time after Mr Azzopardi spilled the beans on Air Malta's waste of money?

Jay Oatmon

Aug 21st 2012, 07:12

I don't think Mr Dominic Azzopardi is a fit and proper person to be making decisions on behalf of others - ALPA needs to face the facts (and dump the posturing) and remove him as their representative asap.

Patricia Farrugia

Aug 20th 2012, 23:44

Way back in 1995, an Air Malta flight from Rome was ordered back to Fiumicino Terminal just before take-off because ‘We left a VIP behind’, quoting the captain. My family and I, together with an almost full plane, had to wait for a whole 90 minutes on the tarmac! And to top it all, the plane had to be refuelled because the engines were kept running. The captain explained to us that we were going to be surrounded by fire engines because of the danger of such a situation. I remember that my husband and I were very tense and worried, especially as we had our young son with us!
When this VIP+wife+daughter+grandchildren+Duty Free shopping bags boarded the plane they were welcomed by a lot of booing. In the meantime the captain told us that because of the delay we may have to divert to Catania because now there was a storm developing over Malta!
I’m not saying that two wrongs make a right but way back in 1995 nobody mentioned anything in the press! No one knew what we passengers had to endure, crammed in our seats for an hour and a half watching all those flashing lights around us! And I’m sure Air Malta had to fork out hundreds of Maltese Lira to pay for the extra fuel and the fire engines used on that September day!!!

Henry S Pace

Aug 20th 2012, 23:26

primus inter pares
First among equals

Chris Gatt

Aug 20th 2012, 22:51

I am not implying that the story about Captain Azzopardi is true, but the press statement issued by ALPA isn't exactly helpful.
1. It argues: " that the newspaper story did not portray the facts as they actually happened and it served only to put one of its members in a bad light in a clear attempt at character assassination." Let us agree that this is the case. So, if ALPA is so confident that the story did not portray the facts, why doe sit not tell us the facts.
2. The union said this kind of attitude shown by the airline only served to provoke, and it shed light on the 'dirty tactics' that the company’s higher management was resorting to. Is the union implying that Air Malta forced Capt. Azzopardi to be late for his flight and to order that the plane wait 30 minutes? Or are they implying that Air Malta management is in collusion with staff at the Italian airport in order to stop Capt. Azzopardi embarking? Are these the dirty tactics being employed by Air Malta? After all, if Capt. Azzopardi checked in along with the other passengers we would not have had a story.

Silvio Abela

Aug 20th 2012, 22:07

The way this is going, he is already guilty. Guilty as not charged. Whatever the outcome of the "independent" inquiry this person's integrity will be shot to pieces. If he is guilty then let the independent inquiry confirm the charges. As someone said below, why did the news happen when it did? Does an airline captain on holiday possess the authority to order an airport's security and other officials about as is being said? Do they have the power? Can some knowledgeable person from the airline confirm this? Or are we following the law of the jungle? What about innocent until proven otherwise? If he is found guilty then let him pay for his actions but if not then who will pay the damages he will surely seek?

Joseph Farrugia

Aug 20th 2012, 21:54

I was highly suspicious that this incident was just some mudslinging at Capt. Azzopardi being who he is & the "perfect timing" of the event and wrote comments to that effect in the previous article. This article justifies my suspicions.


"FACTS"⎯⎯⎯>"The evidence, gathered from the aircraft's communication systems, computer logs at check-in and ground handling partners in Milan.……"
Of course the plane was logged to have left late, but that does NOT prove Capt. Azzopardi has anything to do with it; especially if:

1) the Italian gate officials closed earlier than the stipulated time

2) the Azzopardi family ⎯ like ALL of us would do, including the kangaroos below who are jumping to conclusions ⎯ protested & insisted that they should not be stranded due to some Italian officer's whim

3) the argument took some time, finally the Italian officials desisted in their whimsical behaviour & agreed to board the family

4) this means that the Azzopardi family could check-in, the check-in records were logged in LATE because of the time-wasting complicated farce caused by the early closing by the Italian officials

5) TIME was then needed to get the Azzopardi family to the plane (open gates, walk through security queues, getting TO the plane, time to board the plane, etc) causing further delay in departure.

Assumption, & probably some fiction thrown in as well⎯⎯⎯⎯> "…confirmed the comments and complaints received from passengers on board the flight."
Complaints? That the flight left later than stipulated? That proves NOTHING against Capt. Azzopardi,
except that the passengers were disgruntled by the delay in departure. Did any of them JUMP to conclusions by any chance, & was "connected" enough to Capt. Azzopardi's detractors to fabricate this whole story, I wonder……?

What NEEDS to be ascertained, is if Capt. Azzopardi communicated in any way with the airline pilot, exerting any influence on him. That would lead to Capt. Azzopardi's innocence or guilt in this matter.

Charles Alamango

Aug 20th 2012, 21:17

No apology, no shame. simply disgusting. Thank you to the person who caused the delay.

Jimmy Magro

Aug 20th 2012, 21:08

I would like to confirm that I have been on Air Malta flights that were delayed due to the late arrival of passengers, both at MIA and other destinations. Most of these cases happen due to connecting flights, traffic accidents, last minute negotations, and having the last coffee or a pint.
.
In fact it is not the first time that you are at an airport and the airline keep calling the same names even after the scheduled departure time.

Passengers are obliged to be at the airport two hours before their departure, but unforeseen circumstances do happen. The world is not perfect.

One of these incidents happened in Frankfurt, where the passengers had to wait for a music group coming from the USA. When they arrived on the bus, I told my friend: do these people have a watch, and the late guy responded in Maltese. They were Maltese passengers and he explained why we, the passengers, had to wait for them.

Anthony Arpa

Aug 20th 2012, 21:00

We don't care what happened in the past... What we care is what happening now. If we keep doing the same mistakes of the past , then we can never change for better things.

Victor Laiviera

Aug 20th 2012, 20:41

More political intimidation and Union-bashing.

First it was Captain Grech of Gozo Channel who went through hell just for highlighting irregularities and now it's Captain Azzopardi of AirMalta for standing up for the employees.

Truly shameful.

Philip Apap Bologna

Aug 20th 2012, 20:34

Anyone who understands the basics of airline safety will tell you that Air Malta’s management are continuing to demonstrating their incompetence even in managing such a minor delay incident. Intimidation and pressure is a very serious matter in aviation and one that can carry many very serious consequences. Hitting below the belt and bullying tactics is another matter, but sadly, this is characteristic of this foreign management style we have to put up with for the next few months. Let’s have all the investigations we need but don’t mess with our safety or our airline’s integrity.

Mr Joe Frendo

Aug 20th 2012, 20:31

The honorable way Mr. Azzopardi is to offer your resignation from president of ALPA, and defend yourself without the backing and using your union are 'paraventu'.

If proven innocent after the inquire has done its conclusions, and your name is cleared, then I am sure that ALPA will be with open arms to reinstate you in your position.

Come on, show us accountability that you have been remarking on TV and interviews. Every one is equal so do not hide under the excuse of Character assassination.

Julian Borg

Aug 20th 2012, 20:27

Lovely to see the integrity of ALPA in supporting its president regardless of any inquiry. Shows the political motivation of the pilots' union and their total lack of objectivity. The political connotations CANNOT be ignored. Pure arrogance!

R. Saliba

Aug 20th 2012, 20:25

The PL is always preaching about accountability. Now it has the perfect chance to comment on this and demand the person involved to shoulder his responsibility. If it does not, than it will only show that the PL are just as bad as the PN.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Aug 20th 2012, 20:23

@ Victor Gelfo today 19:59.

This episode would acquire a new and authentic dimension if the press were not acting so squeemish about disclosing the connections of this trade union leader with people prominent in local politics.

Darby Allen

Aug 20th 2012, 20:22

If Mr Azzopardi is guilty of this, he should be held to account for it; but is there really any need for an independent enquiry? Whatever the findings, it will no doubt cost a lot of money; and who's going to pick up the tab? Air Malta's pax, or the taxpayer?

George Cutajar

Aug 20th 2012, 20:19

Why is ALPA up in arms trying to defend it's President if it appears, on the face of it, that Mr. Azzopardi committed a gross breach of regulations? Why is the FORUM doing the same? Why is the Labour media mum on this matter? Is this how they expect Air Malta to be run should they be in Government?

Mr. Azzopardi should have the decency to suspend himself from his position in ALPA and let justice take it's course rather than politicizing the matter in an attempt to gain brownie points.

Does ALPA expect Air Malta to remain mum in the face of this blatant abuse of power simply because ALPA will now threaten it on the restructuring process which is well under way?

We all remember the raucous which arose when a Gozo Channel chairman requested that a ferry return to pick him up. Then the Chairman did the most decent thing - admitted his fault, excused himself publicly and tendered his resignation. In this case Capt. Azzopardi not only does not admit his fault but goes on the defensive and worse still claims that this is a case which has been orchestrated with intent to harm his good standing. What next? Will he claim this is a frame-up?

Mr Joe Micallef

Aug 20th 2012, 20:15

If the allegations are confirmed I will be expecting Muscat to ask Simone Cini to shoulder the responsibility and resign from ONE.

If she doesn't, I would expect him to ask her to leave.

m piscopo

Aug 20th 2012, 20:15

Mur ara kieku kien xi nazzjonalist?Gimgha shiha fuq one news l-ahbar principali.

J Busuttil

Aug 20th 2012, 20:05

Forum Unions Maltin is also backing Capt.Azzopardi. Shame on them.

Were there any teachers, nurses etc. ( members of this union) on board. Watch out this forum is showing how political motivated it is being lead.

Keep on the good work Air Malta and make sure that the investigation is a serious one.

GL Calleja

Aug 20th 2012, 20:01

I think that we should all wait for the end results and then let who ever created this delay answer for this abuse of power. I hope the Times stays on top of the investigation and we also expect the Minister in charge of Air Malta give a public explanation. Only Airline people can tell you how grievous an offence this is, and Mr Farrugia, Mr Davies and ALPA management are very aware of this. How embarrassing it must be for the other flight crew. Usually where there is smoke, there is fire.

Joseph N. Attard

Aug 20th 2012, 20:00

The head of a union should know that he will be held more accountable than others. Independent evidence seems to clearly shows he used his position to cause an aircraft to delay departure to accommodate him and his family. This might be excusable if he had some international connection to make, but this does not appear to be the case. In my opinion, there is only one honourable way out for Mr Azzoppardi. He should make a public apology, which should be graciously accepted as a one off by management. Otherwise, subsequent consequences will be his sole responsibility.

Victor Gelfo

Aug 20th 2012, 19:59

NOT A SINGLE WORD ABOUT THIS CASE IN THE MLP MEDIA!!!! WHY????????

John Citizen

Aug 20th 2012, 19:57

Sorry ALPA let's be responsible and accept the fact as is; no ordinary and unknown citizen is able to do what Capt Azzopardi and family did, and delay a flight for more than 30 minutes due to late arrival.

There should be no excuses that such things happened in the past; come one get real and professional. After all, Air Malta's reputation is at stake.

R Abela

Aug 20th 2012, 19:54

To be credible Airmalta should publish a list of cases when their planes were made to wait for someone and the names of those involved.I bet we will get a very interesting list of names!
If the captain was late and made the plane wait ,he did wrong , but let's hope this is not all political character assassination.

Joseph Bugeja

Aug 20th 2012, 19:44

The crux of the matter lies whether this is true or not. If it is not Capt. Azzopardi should sue but if it is I wonder what is happening to this country. Pride is non existent it seems especially when we had a similar incident a few months back with Gozo Channel (if I'm not mistaken).
The timing has got nothing to do with this matter. Something wrong is wrong always and by whoever it is perpetrated be it a Captain, a chimney sweeper or a Minister of God or Government. I just hope everyone will be treated equally now and in the future.

Richard Caruana

Aug 20th 2012, 19:43

Had these passengers been in any way connected with the PN or Government we would have already heard a chorus of calls for resignations from the PM, Ministers, Air Malta management all the way down to the office cats.

Where is the PL now?

Kieron O'connor

Aug 20th 2012, 19:40

If I remember correctly when the chairman of the gozo channel line did the same and he resigned shortly there after.
Will Mr Azzopardi take the correct action and show the proper leadership example of accountability to his colleagues and the public who finances the airline.
If he has indeed abused his power and position he should ofcourse offer his resignation.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 20th 2012, 19:39

Since when has a company given specific details to the press BEFORE an independent or internal enquiry?

Don't get me wrong, if Mr. Azzopardi did get preferential treatment that caused an inconvenience to others because of his position, then he should pay the consequences.

However the way Air Malta are going about it, the opposite seems true.