Updated 8.45pm: Adds GWU statement

Delays currently being incurred by Air Malta were mainly the result of Air Traffic Control restrictions due to bad weather over Europe, the company said today.

The airline's recent delays have been the focus of debate over several media as well as the social media.

Top airline officials had told The Times of Malta the delays were due to “severe mismanagement” issues.

It said in a statement that although it was being faced with industrial action from airline operations controllers in relation to increases being demanded, it had already sub contracted the service to an external specialised service provider.

The airline operations controllers demands, it said, followed a dispute between two unions which were currently being heard by the industrial tribunal to decide if they could be considered a separate bargaining unit.

Until such decision was taken, Air Malta said, it was not in a position to negotiate with the controllers as otherwise it would be in breach of the GWU collective agreement. 

Read: Air Malta braces for more delays, cancellations

GWU statement

In a statement later, the General Workers Union appealed for common sense saying the Industrial Tribunal should be allowed all the necessary space to listen and decide on the matter.

It said that during collective agreement negotiations, to avoid delays in the implementation of the agreement and the airline’s restructuring plan, it decided that the benefits and conditions of airline operations controllers should be negotiated by the union gaining recognition once the Industrial Tribunal took its final decision.

The union said no unnecessary difficulties should be created to the airline in the interest of the workers, their families, commercial and national interests, as well as the interests of the airline’s clients and passengers.