In a meeting with Air Malta Chairman David Curmi and Director Nadia Giordamaina, PN Spokesperson Peter Aguis called for a national effort to protect the freedom of Movement of Maltese people from "unjust European air travel proposals".

During the meeting, Aguis explained how proposals tabled by the EU would further burden connectivity between Malta and Europe.

"The new proposed rules would impose a considerable cost increase through the transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) which would cost up to six times higher than the cost of current aviation fuel. The rules would also increase the price of payments for emissions on the ETS system and impose a new tax on aviation fuel which, hitherto, was tax exempt" he said.

It is estimated that these additional "burdens" would increase flight costs to Malta by €60.

Aguis noted that the 98% of Malta's tourists arrive by air travel and that the threat to European free movement is going to pose a significant economic risk if these proposed European rules are introduced.

He insisted that the unfairness of this lies in the fact that whilst Malta would pay a hefty price because of its geographical location, most other countries in central Europe would be paying much less.

"Other countries have railways and highways, which we do not have. Draft legislation submitted to date suggests derogation for other islands considered to fall under the 'outermost regions' category, like the Canary Islands, but does not consider derogations for island states like Malta and Cyprus", he said.

"We need to join forces in a national effort to ascertain that this legislation is not accepted as proposed. Solutions are there to be found, but these require a coordinated effort which involves all stakeholders and actors on the national and European level. On my part I am ready to play my part as I have always done for the national interests" concluded Agius.