The Airline Pilots Association has ‘categorically’ denied demanding an increase of each pilot’s salary of €50,000.

This was issued in the form of a press release, with reference to a Times of Malta story which appeared today. The story claims that the national airline union was demanding such an increase, and that this would still leave the crew with the status of lowest paid pilots in Europe.

“With reference to the article on The Sunday Times entitles, “Air Malta pilots demand €50,000 salary increase each,” ALPA-Malta, representing Air Malta pilots, categorically denies such claims. The article quotes factually incorrect figures, including the pilot count, this misleading the general public with incorrect data. ALPA will soon be attending a scheduled meeting with Air Malta, and thus has no further comments to make until then,” it said in a press release.

The story stated that Air Malta has 122 pilots, who each take home an average of €93,000 per year. It was also said that the current wage bill equates to some €11 million, adding that pilots are entitled to other perks – such as a generous lump sum for early retirement, which could reach €500,000 should certain conditions be met.