Updated 11pm with Air Malta reaction below - The flight crew member originally scheduled to operate the Air Malta flight to Moscow that was delayed by more than 10 hours on Tuesday has been on extended sick leave for close to a month, the pilots' union (ALPA) said.

It added that Air Malta’s management could not hide behind the excuse that this was unforeseen.

It referred to a statement by Air Malta on Wednesday which said it had been forced to lease an aircraft complete with crew after pilots reported sick, delaying a number of flights.

The airline said that the next standby crew for the Moscow flight was called but the co-pilot reported sick after he was called in further delaying the flight until alternative arrangements were made.

But ALPA said on Thursday that shortly before the flight, Air Malta placed two captains on duty together, only for the crew to realise during their briefing just prior to the scheduled departure that the weather in Moscow was such that for operational reasons, the flight could not be operated with two captains.

The union said this showed that the delay was purely a result of Air Malta's crisis management, and could have been completely avoided through adequate planning.

In a reaction, Air Malta said it followed all procedures in allocating pilots to flights and making replacements in case of sickness, however ALPA’s recommendations to its members not to fly on certain duties and show any flexibility in the case
of changes made planning very difficult.

It claimed that on Tuesday the pilot (First Officer) who was scheduled as a
standby reported sick when it became apparent he would need to operate the flight.

"Under normal circumstances, an airline has the flexibility to utilise pilots who
are willing and fit to operate these flights on days free from duty. This option
is negated to Air Malta due to the fact that ALPA is putting pressure on pilots
not to cooperate," it said.