The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) insisted today that Air Malta was contractually obliged to provide Loss of Licence insurance for its pilots, one of the causes of a dispute which has led the union to order a work to rule.

The union said that to date, Air Malta's comments on the subject had varied from statements to the effect that the insurance was not available, to being too expensive (when actually it is not) and to telling the pilots to buy it themselves.

The latest excuse was that, according to the airline's expert, such insurance encouraged the pilot to lose their licence.

"The irony is that an expert Air Malta hides behind was actually present when the relevant clause was discussed and agreed to during the Collective Agreement negotiations. Now, Air Malta wants to go back on what is its contractual obligation and attempt to renegotiate a signed collective agreement," the union said.

ALPA said the current dispute was not only about Loss of Licence Insurance but also at the general attitude Air Malta had towards the collective agreement. Several parts had taken months to be brought into force and some had not been implemented at all.

Additionally, the union said, Air Malta had created new work practices that restricted the application of the collective agreement.

The union hoped the dispute would be resolved as soon as possible.