A ‘realignment’ on leave granted to Air Malta pilots was what pushed through the deal on the new collective agreement between the airline and the Airline Pilots’ Association (ALPA) late last night, sources close to ALPA have told The Malta Independent.

The newsroom was told that the new conditions was both beneficial to the pilots and the company; and that the pilots will be receving the same pay increase that was provided to all Air Malta employees.

At a media briefing concerning the collective agreements on 20 September, Mizzi said that all employees will be provided with a total 19% wage increase that would be spread over five years (5%, 1.5%, 5%, 1.5%, 5%).

The rise would see Air Malta's payroll costs increase by €16 million, and in order to fund it, revenue would need to increase by €100 million.

ALPA was the last union to sign the new collective agreement and were threatening to go on strike before a deal was struck.

The pilots, who will be subject to more flexible working conditions as according to IASA regulations,  had long argued that the change in conditions is actually a pay decrease due to the increased working hours.

In a tweet Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the airline and ALPA have “reached a mutually satisfactory agreement enabling company to move ahead and become the Airline of the Mediterranean. Pilots now need to formally endorse in new vote.”

It is expected that the new collective agreement will be approved, with a vote taking place in possibly five days time.