A passenger on an Air Malta flight may be forgiven for thinking the airline had gone overboard with its cost-cutting measures when he was told yesterday that bread rolls had run out.

In a controversial decision last December, Air Malta announced it would discontinue in-flight meals for economy class passengers and distribute a free bread roll and bottle of water instead, saving €8 million over two years.

But it may have cut back too far yesterday, when some passengers on a plane from Dubrovnik were offered an apology about the lack of rolls – but were then refused a free packet of crisps or Twistees as a substitute.

“Adding insult to injury, the crew insisted this was only possible against payment,” an irate passenger said soon after landing.

He added that the only remedy they were offered was to file an official complaint with the airline.

Air Malta has taken the complaint seriously, with a spokesman saying it would open an investigation and seek an explanation from the catering supplier.

“The least I expect from the airline to get the full service that I paid for,” the angry passenger said.