The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) said today that there are no developments on its current issues with Air Malta, and warnings that pilots will step up industrial action if claims for improved conditions are not met are still in place.

Pilots are currently dressing down for work as a form of industrial action, and a meeting with management is scheduled for 18 July. Pilots are not wearing their suit jackets and pilot caps on duty, in protest of delays in collective agreement negotiations.

Unless calls for improved working conditions are met, the pilots could step up the action and result in delayed flights or even suspending services altogether. However no further action is expected until the 18 July meeting takes place.

The last collective agreement between the airline and pilots expired six months ago.

ALPA President Dominic Azzopardi previously said that pilots were not asking for anything out of reach, or for any exorbitant increases. He has, however, mentioned the need for adequate remuneration for the service provided by the pilots. Speaking with this newsroom, he said he was not willing to give the exact details as to what the pilots are asking for.

Although ALPA has been authorised by the pilots to step up directives if needed after a recent secret ballot vote, Captain Azzopardi has previously assured that they do not wish for the situation to reach that stage, arguing that he just wants a collective agreement to be reached.

The negotiations regarding collective agreements and Air Malta have been pushed back due to ongoing talks between Alitalia and the Maltese airline. Alitalia signed an MOU with Air Malta, which is the first step towards the Italian airline purchasing 49% in Air Malta.