Representatives of the Union of Cabin Crew stormed out of a meeting with Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis without giving an explanation, the Tourism Ministry said this evening.

In a statement the ministry said Dr Zammit Lewis held two meetings with members of the union, which represents Air Malta cabin crew. These were part of a series of meetings the government is holding with unions that represent Air Malta employees.

The Union of Cabin Crew has declared an industrial dispute that comes into force on midnight on Saturday.

The ministry said it gave written reassurances to the union about its requests as long as the productivity, efficiency and flexibility targets, which are of crucial importance for the national airline, are reached. But the union representatives stormed out of the meeting without giving an explanation.

The ministry said that it is always open to discussion but deplored this “irresponsible behaviour” coming from a union that knew that any industrial action in the peak of summer could lead to irreparable harm.

It said it would take all necessary steps and would not let anyone harm the national airline, its workers, the tourism industry and the economy.

Minister Zammit Lewis was accompanied for the meetings by President Emeritus George Abela and Air Malta Chairperson Maria Micallef.

The Ministry announced yesterday that it had reached an agreement with the airline pilots association. No details about the agreement have been given.