I have just read the letter by Mr Stephen Gauci, Exec. Communications of Airmalta, explaining why overbooking is a standard practice with most airlines. He says that a difficult problem for airlines are “no-shows”, which means people who have booked and paid for a flight, do not show up, and make life uncomfortable and expensive for the entire travelling public, while the flight departs with empty (paid-for) seats of those people who fail to turn up.

If I may ask, why should Air Malta really care if people who booked and paid for their tickets, fail to show up? Isn’t Air Malta going to get its money in any case, and with the added bonus of having a lighter (and therefore less fuel-loaded) aircraft? Air Malta will still register a full flight in its accounts, while passengers are happier with some more space.

To me, this seems more like a rather greedy practice by airlines. I can assure Mr Gauci that I much prefer knowing much earlier that a flight is full, and make alternative plans, rather than having all my holiday arrangements ruined by not being allowed on a flight which is overbooked. No amount of compensation or re-routings will sweeten the bitter pill of a ruined holiday.

This is a not a specific criticism of Air Malta, but is directed at towards airlines which indulge in this practice.

Adrian Cardona

Birkirkara