Updated 6.07pm - Industrial action lifted
Industrial action by Air Malta cabin crew has been lifted, seven hours after the Union of Cabin Crew stunned management with the unilateral action.
In a brief statement, the airline said that operations will return to normal with immediate effect.
It thanked the union's "understanding and cooperation" and highlighted its intervention in ensuring that a London Heathrow-bound flight departed on-time due to an urgent medical case onboard.
READ: A birthday cake, a PA system and cabin crew that go the extra mile
Cabin crew had embarked on the action in protest at what they said were breaches in the collective agreement. The action led to delays of around one hour for most Air Malta flights.
Air Malta announced that the industrial action was over just minutes after it issued a statement saying that an internal investigation into a video clip purporting to show passengers take over a plane's PA system mid-flight had found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Management surprised
Speaking earlier, Air Malta acting CEO Joseph Galea said he only learnt about the industrial action after reading the Times of Malta's report of it.
Mr Galea said the UCC sent an email notifying an industrial dispute on February 21.
He said a meeting with UCC was scheduled for 11am today to continue discussing the issue, and Air Malta management only go to know about the industrial action moments before the meeting from the online reports.
Mr Galea said the dispute centred on a clause in the collective agreement about the UCC’s rostering.
He explained that delays would have a knock-on effect as Air Malta planes missed their landing slots at other airports.
“We have to take it one flight at a time”, Mr Galea said.
He said the industrial action appeared to be unrelated to the suspension of a flight crew this morning, following a report that passengers took over the in-flight public address system to party with their friends.
Air Malta Chairwoman Maria Micallef condemned the disproportionate actions taken by the UCC.
Ms Micallef said Air Malta management had multiple meetings with the UCC in order to resolve the dispute.
“Everyone knows the efforts being made to try and save this airline…I cannot understand why this action was taken,” Ms Micallef said.