Air Malta has had a new wet lease aircraft delivered this morning to substitute the much-maligned aircraft that has been the cause of complaints and delays over the past week.
In a Right of Reply sent to this newsroom following the publication of a story on The Malta Independent on Sunday, Air Malta says, “Although being EASA certified, in light recent complaints Air Malta has insisted with its lessor to change the wet-leased aircraft. As from today another aircraft has been delivered to Air Malta by the lessor and this aircraft has this morning started operating Air Malta flights.”
The full Right of Reply follows:
“Air Malta refers to the article ‘Air Malta’s leased aircraft leaves a lot be desired - causing delays, and fears, across Europe’, (TMIS, 18 March 2018).
This report is factually incorrect and is intended to do unnecessary damage to the good reputation of the airline.
Safety is the topmost priority for Air Malta and this has, is and will never be jeopardised.
The airline runs a complex operation with over 250 flights a week. It is true that unfortunately, in these last few days, the airline has suffered delays, some of which has had a snowball effect on other flights.
Some of the delays were of a technical nature during which the aircraft needed to be checked and signed off by the airline’s engineers before flying. This is normal and in line with all airline operators. Other delays, were operational in nature, including yesterday’s 14hour delay on London Gatwick.
Coincidentally some of the delayed flights were operated by a wet leased aircraft which was brought in to help with the increased flight schedule currently being operated by the airline. The short-term wet lease of this aircraft was necessary due to the fact that the delivery of the 9th aircraft was delayed by the leasing company by a few weeks. Such wet lease was necessary until the two new aircraft secured by Air Malta are delivered by the suppliers shortly.
Air Malta is never happy about delays and does it utmost to minimise inconveniences in the unfortunate circumstances when such delays occur.
The airline demands high standards throughout all its operations and does not leave any stone unturned to assist passengers.
Although being EASA certified, in light recent complaints Air Malta has insisted with its lessor to change the wet-leased aircraft. As from today another aircraft has been delivered to Air Malta by the lessor and this aircraft has this morning started operating Air Malta flights.
Air Malta leases its aircraft from IOSA certified leasing companies and all aircraft that operate Air Malta’s schedule adhere to the strict IOSA quality audits. The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program is an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. More over all aircraft operating in Europe are (EASA) European Aviation Safety Agency certified are thus adhere to the strictest European safety standards.
Air Malta expects true and fair reporting and appeals to the editorial responsibility of every news outlet especially when airline safety is concerned.
In the meantime, Air Malta staff have assisted passengers with hotels, drinks and lunch / dinners.”