Air Malta employees – from pilots to part-time staff – are increasingly concerned about their future, especially in view of what they deem to be mixed messages coming from the airline.
Following reports in The Sunday Times of Malta that the government is in talks with Turkish Airlines over Air Malta’s possible privatisation and further reducing the fleet, unions and employees have spoken of rising tension within the company.
“The chairman told us directly that the company will be reducing its [10-aircraft] fleet by up to four planes,” a senior pilot said.
“It seems that the decision has been taken and it’s now a matter of implementation. Although the company is insisting there will be no forced layoffs, we are very concerned about the airline’s future.”
Another captain, who has been flying Air Malta’s aircraft for the past 20 years, said: “We are bracing ourselves for the worst, because it is evident that competition has dealt us a big blow and the company cannot survive in its present form.”
However, an airline spokesman told Times of Malta that the management was analysing its network to see whether it could fly more efficiently with the same capacity, such as by doing aircraft maintenance at night or adjusting time slots.
“Ultimately, the main objective of the management is to lease the number of planes it needs to meet the airline’s demand.”
An official of the Airline Pilots Association complained that pilots were not being given any information about what was going on. “We are trying to help the airline survive, but we are not involved in the decisions regarding fleet reduction. We have been told about this, but nothing seems to be set in stone yet.”
The official said Air Malta was not communicating with employees, even though they were willing to collaborate.
An official from the Union of Cabin Crew said that “the situation is very bad and the company’s staff is becoming demoralised. We don’t know what our future is going to be”.
The Union Ħaddiema Magħ-qudin does not enjoy majority recognition, but its members at the airline are also voicing concern. “We are being bombarded with complaints about everyone being kept in the dark. Part-timers have been given a contract only until September and they don’t know what will happen then. We are very worried,” a spokesman said.
The airline spokesman said its chairwoman and its CEO had met all staff two weeks ago on the latest business results, the budget and the restructuring plan.
The employees asked questions and were given replies, as well as being informed about the network analysis being carried out, he said.
“Air Malta has now entered the last year of its restructuring plan agreed with the EU Commission. It is now critical for the airline to meet the targets set and become financially sustainable for the benefit of its whole workforce, the country and all the local tourism industry.”
The General Workers’ Union, representing the majority of the workers, declined to comment “on rumours”. It added: “We will only speak when we have the facts.”
Asked about reports of a fleet reduction, a GWU official said: “I didn’t say that we don’t know. This is the only comment I can give you for now. We are having talks.”
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has not ruled out privatisation but says the government intends to retain its majority shareholding.