The hoteliers' association has called on Air Malta cabin crew to stop their week-long industrial action and seek a negotiated settlement with the airline.

The Union of Cabin Crew has instructed its members to only board their aircraft at the scheduled time of departure, which means that each flight leaving Malta is being delayed by a minimum of 30 minutes. The industrial dispute is over working conditions. 

"For most passengers, this is an irritant but for others it can be the loss of a connecting flight or missing a meeting, resulting in lost business," the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association said. 

Taxpayers have bailed out Air Malta to the tune of €250 million and the action by the cabin crews was another step towards the failure of Air Malta and the loss of the €250 million investment that the country has made in the airline, the association said.

It urged the UCC to withdraw its industrial action and to negotiate with the company round a table.