My 74-year-old mother travels to Gozo every year to spend Christmas with me and my wife.

This year it took her 36 hours to get here from Manchester, because the bad weather there resulted in her Air Malta flight being cancelled. Realising that no aircraft would be able to leave Manchester because of the snowy conditions, someone in Air Malta made the decision to accommodate the passengers in a five-star hotel for the night. Not only were they given a room, but they were served with a Christmas dinner and drinks.

The flight eventually took off around 30 hours late. As can be imagined, it was a very anxious time for us here, not knowing what was happening, and a trying time for my dear old mum. People are quick to knock Air Malta when things go wrong. This time, the conditions were beyond their control and while many hundreds of passengers flying with other airlines spent the night in Manchester airport, Air Malta arranged for their passengers to go to a hotel before all the hotel rooms were taken by other stranded passengers.

Very well done, Air Malta, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all your staff.

M. Hollis

XEWKIJA