Air Malta and the pilots’ union are not near reaching an agreement despite a court of law suggesting the two sides reach an amicable way forward. The deadline given by the court expires today.
Malta Today reports that the company is “expecting” the pilots’ union to accept a temporary suspension of collective agreement rights until the airline makes it out of the difficulties generated by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The company has asked the Airline Pilots Association for “a genuine understanding” of the situation for Air Malta to overcome the financial difficulties brought about by the closure of the airport and the cancellation of many flights, the source added.
With the airport set to reopen next week, Air Malta is trying to secure a sustainable operation over the next 12 months as the tourism industry is re-ignited.
ALPA filed a request for a court order to stop the airline from making 69 pilots redundant but during last week’s sitting both sides informed Judge Toni Abela that a deal was “close”.
Abela gave both sides one week to sort out their issues.