Air Malta has hit back at reports saying that temporary cabin crew are going to be “axed.”

The airline’s CEO Philip Micallef explained that temporary staff are usually recruited by Air Malta prior to the busy summer period.

The contract given to these staff is of a fixed temporary nature that expires at the end of summer period.

Mr Micallef said these same staff are then given first preference when applying for temporary work with the airlines the following summer should the need arise.

He pointed out that Air Malta is a seasonal airline with many more passengers being carried in summer when compared to the winter months.

The CEO said he finds it hard to understand the criticism faced by the airline whenever someone’s contract comes to an end, particularly when it comes to these temporary workers.

“We hear things like we are going to fire them, we are going to axe them. We are not firing them. They had a contract, and their contract came to a natural end.

“We have many people who take these jobs for the summer,” Mr Micallef said.

The General Workers Union yesterday appealed to Air Malta workers to rely on what is being said by the union and ignore statements being made by others made for ulterior motives.

It said that the union is ready to discuss and cooperate with Air Malta, for the benefit of the airline and its employees, noting that Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis has pledged that no employees will be laid off. 

It stressed that it should be informed of all Air Malta plans.

The airline will be reducing its fleet from 10 aircraft to seven during winter and eight during summer, which will save the airline €8 million per year.

A spokesperson for the airline on Tuesday said that the fleet reduction is a temporary measure.

Airline pilots’ association not officially informed about fleet reduction plan

In another development, the Airline Pilots’ Association (ALPA) bemoaned the lack of communication by the airline about the planned fleet reduction.

“The airline is not being forthcoming with information to ALPA.  It is in fact disappointing, to say the least, that third parties were shown the workings of this so called 'fleet maximisation plan' (incorrectly labelled by Air Malta as a 'fleet renewal plan'), while an association representing employees is being kept in the dark about the airline's future strategic plans, be them fleet plans or any plans involving strategic partners.

“ALPA is not being kept informed about any discussions being held and unfortunately we know as much as you do, if not less,” ALPA said.

“To date, Air Malta has so far said that the 'fleet maximisation plan' will not lead to any cuts in routes or capacity, a statement which points only to higher aircraft utilisation, rather than actual downsizing. 

“While aircraft utilisation can be stretched, crew flight time limitations are legal requirements and, assuming pilots will still fly the same amount of hours, changes to the flight crew compliment will not be required. 

“Furthermore, ALPA reiterates that, pilots have always been a resource to the company, a resource which can be used to further increase Air Malta's revenues through the provision of training or leasing of crew.”