The reduction of Air Malta’s fleet from 10 aircrafts to eight is a temporary measure, a spokesperson for the airline said yesterday.
“Air Malta is focused on boosting its productivity, not only to successfully meet our restructuring targets but also to enable us to offer more competitive pricing to our passengers.
“By temporararily reducing the fleet to eight aircraft and increasing aircraft utilisation to 14 hours per aircraft per day Air Malta’s will save €8.2 million per year. As communicated, such plans will see the airline fly the same number of passengers and tourists to our islands.
“This item is the single most significant change that could help the airline break even and is necessary for the airline to survive. By increasing each aircraft’s utilisation to 14 hours per day and operate faster turnarounds, the airline can retain a similar schedule to what is currently being operated with 10 aircraft.
“Eventually, once the airline achieves its restructuring targets, the fleet will be increased in a controlled and sustainable manner as the airline works towards growth.
“We are determined to turn this around in the interests of all our employees and the rest of the country, including all our stakeholders. Air Malta’s management and Board of Directors will continue to work on boosting productivity whilst meeting the requirements of the Restructuring Plan agreed with the EU Commission,” the spokesperson said.
Air Malta cabin crew say airlines not overstaffed, working overtime
President of the Cabin Crew Union Noel Mercieca denied reports that the national carrier Air Malta is overstaffed.
“As we speak cabin crew are working overtime with around 50 temporary staff,” Mr Mercieca said when contacted.
Yesterday, The Times of Malta reported that Air Malta has almost twice as many employees per aircraft as some comparable airlines.
It stated that Air Malta will have 143 employees per aircraft this winter, which is higher than the industry average.
Mr Mercieca said the union is not aware of any plans to downsize the cabin crew staff complement, and Air Malta has stated that flying hours for the 2015/2016 winter season will not be less than in previous years.
Air Malta employs 190 cabin crew staff and 30 part-timers in winter. Questions sent to the airline pilots’ association about the overstaffing issue were not answered. Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis last week said there are currently no plans to downsize staff at Air Malta.
Air Malta is engaging in talks with a number of other airlines with the view of forming a so-called strategic partnership.
Dr Zammit Lewis said the partnership can take many forms, but the government will retain absolute control of Air Malta. He explained that such partnerships can range from equity investment to the Etihad model of acquisition of AllItalia.
Mr Mercieca said the Cabin Crew union is not informed of any strategic partnership, and when these talks are being held.
GWU reacts
Meanwhile, The General Workers Union appealed for its members to rely on what is being said by the union and not other statements made with ulterior motives.
It said that the union is ready to discuss and cooperate with Air Malta, for the benefit of the airline and its employees, noting that Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis has pledged that no employees will be laid off.
It stressed that it should be informed of all Air Malta plans.