Updated 2.13pm - MHRA, Malta Chamber call for calm

All Air Malta flights are operating normally and no direct disruptions are expected in the next two days, the airline said on Monday, amid industrial unrest.

However if any industrial action will be taken, arrangements have been made to
minimise impact on passengers and protect Air Malta’s flight schedule, the airline added.

Tensions between Air Malta pilots and the government spilled over into full-blown confrontation on Sunday, after more than 90 per cent of pilots voted to authorise industrial action.

Read: Air Malta pilots on collision course with airline after voting to strike

An electronic ballot provided to members of the pilots' union Alpa sought their authorisation to start industrial action in view of what it claimed were “threats and intimidation” against one of its members by senior management.

Air Malta management filed a warrant of prohibitory injuction against Alpa and its individual committee members. The injunction was provisionally upheld by judge Toni Abela at a court hearing held on Monday morning. 

Air Malta said it will continue to maintain its commitment to its customers and will do its utmost to guarantee the best possible service and least possible
inconvenience to its clients in case any strike action materialises.

Air Malta’s website www.airmalta.com together with its social media
channels including www.facebook.com/AirMalta will be updated with
the latest developments and any changes.

Lobbyists call for calm

Malta's hotel and restaurant lobby urged both sides to resolve their differences around a negotiating table. 

In a statement, the MHRA said that it was "alarmed" by the escalation in tensions and called for a "cooling off" period. 

While the pilots' union had every right to negotiate for pilots' rights, thousands of workers in the tourism sector "also have rights that must be taken into consideration," the MHRA said. 

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry was more open in condemning Alpa's threat to strike, calling it "irresponsible" and expressing alarm that a "small yet important section of the company is once again threatening to paralyse the entire operation of the airline." 

"The country cannot allow itself to be hijacked by the persona interests of the few," the Malta Chamber said.