An Air Malta probe into a flight delay last July seems to be suffering serious setbacks of its own as it has yet to be concluded 10 months down the line.

However, the airline claims a report on the incident is expected “in the very near future”.

The case made headlines last year when it was alleged that pilot union president Domenic Azzopardi was responsible for the 30-minute delay, after he boarded a plane late with his family following a holiday.

Questioned about the airline’s investigation, a spokesman for Air Malta said an “independent panel is expected to submit its report in the very near future”.

“For the time being Air Malta will not comment further,” he added.

The inquiry board was jointly appointed by Air Malta and the pilots’ union.

In December, Air Malta said the board had met and scheduled its next appointment until after the festive season.

The inquiry is expected to deter-mine who was responsible for the delay of flight KM629 from Milan to Malta on July 27.

Air Malta CEO Peter Davies last October promised to get to the bottom of the case and denied it was time-barred.

Captain Azzopardi had vehemently denied being late for the flight, insisting he was on time but found the gate closed when he went to board the plane.