The delay in the issue of airport security passes to Efly was caused by the low-cost airline itself, which took long to submit the application forms, the airport's security office said.

Efly had not yet submitted passport size photos of its employees and security passes that had been ready for a number of weeks remained uncollected, the Office of the Manager Airport Security said.

The office, which falls under the Justice Ministry, said it had issued the passes according to national and international regulations, which entailed a detailed process.

Efly, which briefly operated a route between Malta and Catania, has alleged that Malta International Airport made it "next to impossible" for its service vehicles to access the aircraft and delayed the issue of entry permits to its technical staff.

MIA has denied such claims saying it had not hindered the airline's operations in any way and was simply sticking to its own rules. It noted that other carriers flying to and from Malta had no problems operating under such conditions.

Employees operating on the airfield had to obtain an Airfield Driving Permit while vehicles had to be registered and insured with the airport, which meant Efly's vehicles could not be used, MIA added.