What is behind the high airport tax, costly air and sea travel and the ban on low-cost airlines?
An inquiry into the recent decision not to allow low cost airlines like Ryanair to operate flights to and from Malta gives a clear picture that government’s intention went beyond safeguarding Air Malta; and that this was mainly used as pretext! If the protection of Air Malta was the only reason, the government would not need to increase the airport tax and additional charges so significantly, considering that they were already much higher than in other countries.
The crux of the matter was this: The majority of Maltese were duped into believing that Malta needed a golf course, as it was promoted in the media time and again for over a decade. Speculators as well as politicians, even suggested subtly that more than one golf course is needed, to convince the inexperienced and the naïve. It does not take much to realise that when there are opportunities of acquiring public land, developers and politicians unite to the detriment of the rest of the population!
Land is so scarce that it is not ethical to squeeze even more people on this tiny overbuilt island! Citizens and foreigners alike would not be able to find a remote area where they could spend some time relaxing a little, away from traffic congested roads they face every day! Besides, tourists would rather see Malta’s unique garigue and pristine land than a golf course in an overbuilt environment! The golf course would not consist only of lawn; developers won’t be satisfied unless they make more deals for blocks of concrete!
The increase in air travel tax (that added insult to injury, bearing in mind that it was already very high, notwithstanding the above average cost for Air Malta’s flights) is a real factor that hinders the citizens’ capacity to realise what is good for them. The tax was cleverly designed to deny the populace easy access out of the country! Because if lay people could see for themselves and compare how tiny their land resources are they would not like the idea of reducing their own space!
The purpose of the tax move (together with the ban on low cost airlines) were twofold, for capitalists and greedy businesses it is not ideal that common people go to other countries and find out for themselves how cheaper almost all products are! The government, with the agreement of the Opposition, is protecting cartels, which are not the exception but the rule in this corrupt country. The reason the government made it even harder to access countries of the north is precisely because in those countries consumers are more advanced and well aware of their rights! Those who only see as far as their nose should realise that if you hold back the consumer you would be holding back the whole nation!
These things one would expect in a country controlled by the construction industry and some greedy entrepreneurs! Both the PN and MLP parties, which the majority thinks are rivals, are financed and dominated by these to the extent of being rendered spineless and ineffective when exercising their authority in the interest of the general public. It is most unfair to rob citizens of open space with a golf course, and when they try to find space elsewhere for a while, denying them access by imposing heavy taxes and not allowing the use of bargain flights that low cost airlines offer! Despite being EU citizens, the Maltese are restricted from mixing with other fellow Europeans and are treated like sheep not allowed out of the gate!
In conclusion, the ban on low cost airlines, the exaggerated air and sea travel tax and other high costs for local travellers are nothing but barriers against citizens to keep them isolated and in the dark, to favour the few elite who are making heaps of money by corrupting authorities!
Peter Frendo