Air Malta and the Airline Pilots' Association are to hold a meeting on Wednesday in an attempt to break an impasse on pay talks.
 
The meeting will be held after an appeal by a judge this morning.
 
 
Mr Justice Silvio Meli made his appeal as he considered a request by Air Malta for an injunction to stop the pilots from taking industrial action. The union insists such an order would violate its rights.
 
After agreeing to hold another meeting, both parties agreed to report  the outcome to the court at the next sitting on July 29.
 
During submissions this morning, lawyer Aaron Galea Cavallazzi, who is appearing for the airline, warned that the company was very "vulnerable" and any industrial action woudl be harmfull. He said that Air Malta was about €66 million in the red and it may not survive if a strategic partner was not found by October. 
 
The airline respected the right for industrial action this was no time for such measures, he said.  
 
Lawyer Edward Gatt who is appearing for the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) said the pilots' threat of industrial action had been "amplified" disproportionately. 
The union, he said, had only ordered a symbolic dress-down which had no impact on the airline's operations.
 
During the sitting the judge warned both parties that an escalation of the dispute could have irreversible consequences and they should therefore seek to resolve their issues.
 
You have no alternative, as otherwise the company will go bust.- Judge
 
"You have no alternative, as otherwise the company will go bust," Mr Justice Meli remarked remarked.
 
Following some exchanges the sitting was suspended for a few minutes after which the two sides informed the court that they agreed to have another try.
 
Lawyers Aaron Galea Cavallazzi and Louis Degabriele appeared for Airmalta while Edward Gatt and and Mark Vassallo appeared for the pilots. 
 
Before the sitting, the pilots held a protest in Republic Streets. They carried posters criticising the airline's management and insisting employees should not be blamed for strategic mistakes
 
 

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