The certification, awarded by Moody International Certification Ltd, was made following an extensive audit of the operational processes and standards of the ground handling department and its quality management system.

The audit covered the new quality manual and standard operating procedures drawn up by the department to ISO 9001-2000 specifications, covering the processes involved in providing its services. Tanti and Mallia Quality Consultants advised Air Malta in the preparatory phase.

Quality has been included as a standard part of the annual training given to the ground handling department staff. Air Malta's ground handling department provides airside ground handling to all commercial aircrafts flying in and out of Malta.

The wide range of services offered include transporting passengers to and from the aircraft, loading and unloading baggage and freight, as well as a cleaning the aircraft cabins.

Air Malta chairman Lawrence Zammit spoke of the airline’s satisfaction at having reached ISO standards in this area. “I am placing a clear emphasis on maintaining standards. We will be carrying out internal audits of the standards we have reached and will be subject to regular audits by Moody to make sure we retain the certification awarded.

“This is an important step in providing continuous high levels of service and can only be reached if the same level of teamwork and commitment shown till now will continue,” concluded Mr Zammit.

Moody’s country manager, Paul Cardona, presented the award to Mr Zammit yesterday. Air Malta chief operating officer Joe Cappello, chief operations and maintenance officer Emmanuel Agius and group head ground handling Joe Sammut were also present.