PN MP Mario de Marco demanded Monday that the Maltese language must remain a prerequisite for the crew of the new national airline, KM Malta Airlines.

“For the first time in 50 years, the cabin crew of our national airline does not need to know how to speak Maltese to work within it,” de Marco said in a statement.

The statement comes following revelations that Malta’s new national carrier’s cabin crew will not be required to speak Maltese.

“The decision reportedly taken for KM Malta Airlines not to require the cabin crew to speak Maltese is shameful for our country. It is shameful because the airline is a national one and serves not only the needs of the tourism industry towards our country but also the needs for Maltese and Gozitans who travel, both for leisure purposes beyond our shores, but also for work and business needs, as well as medical and health needs,” de Marco said.

He said that the use of the Maltese language on the airplane as the primary language on the national airline is also part of the authentic experience that a tourist seeks.

“Of course, the use of other languages can and should be used together with the Maltese language, but not to its exclusion. In this way, the national and international elements are respected,” de Marco said.

The PN reiterated that this will be the first time in 50 years that Maltese will not be used on national airline planes.

Air Malta crew obliged those who applied to work with there to know Maltese and English in speaking, writing, and ability in reading notices. This obligation will no longer apply.

“The Government should reconsider this decision and keep in mind the interest of passengers who, whether Maltese or foreign, come to visit us. This while remembering that the national airline should promote the national and official language of our country and not the opposite,” de Marco said.