The Union of Cabin Crew warned Air Malta this evening that unless it improved a pay offer by Friday, it would order its members to report for work two hours late this Saturday, a directive which a spokesman said would delay flights by two hours.

The union said its dispute with the airline had been dragging for far too long.

It recalled that earlier this month it ordered a work to rule and reduced on board in-flight service. Although both directives were rigorously observed by all 200 members,no progress had been made in the dispute.

The union said the airline's initial financial offer was a 10% increase over a three year period. The airline had failed to show signs of accepting the UCC's claim of 17% over a four year period but had offered 17% over a six year period with no cost of living increases.

The union said its industrial action so far had been aimed at raising public awareness of the problem faced by the cabin crew, without creating major inconveniences.

It underlined the flexibility of its members, pointing out that since 2003 the cabin crew compliment on Air Malta flights has been reduced by as much as 33% on certain flights.

"The UCC wanted to assure clients that after nearly two years of discussions and a collective agreement overdue by six years, it was mature enough not to plunge into major disruptive measures but still put pressure on Air Malta and avoiding major disruptions to their travelling plans," the UCC said.

However last Friday the management decided to leave the matter on hold until the next board of directors meeting on June 24. The UCC asked for the matter to be treated with more urgency but there was no assurance from the management that this might happen.

The union warned that unless Air Malta improved its offer by Friday, it would order its members to report for work two hours late on Saturday. This, the union said, might not be a one-time action.