What a monotonous ride I had to endure earlier this month on a three-hour long Air Malta flight to central Europe.

Half-full, the plane flew smoothly towards sunset in eerie silence with most of the passengers lulled to sleep, having nothing else to disturb them with traditionally friendly crews now relegated to a sole distribution of the old ‘prison’ ration of ħobż u ilma, a roll of bread and water.

Gone was the din of small conversation, the smell of simple hot coffee or tea, the juggling of bottles and cans and the pervading perfumes penetrating the odourless dry air of pumped oxygen while trolleys ply their trade.

Even electronic visual trip information accompaniment on the small screens was gone. Monitors stared at us motionless, blank and silent.

To make things worse, the airport departure lounge is now bereft of freshly-baked toast with eateries providing all food readily prepared in plasticised packets preserved with butter or paste.

What a relief to find Europe’s central train stations and airports still providing the odd crispy baguette with fresh ingredients one prefers.

May our national airline overcome its current financial challenges, may the crew rediscover their genuine smile and may passengers survive. The quicker we get out of this twilight zone the better for all.

May we all look forward to a more enjoyable take-off, proudly flying our safe and reliable national airline.