As the summer season approaches, many are making plans for their holidays, with flight prices being a crucial factor, particularly for families. Similarly, European visitors considering a trip to Malta are also weighing their options. Malta's tourism industry has seen substantial growth, reaching 3 million visitors, thanks to decades of investment and promotion efforts. This growth shouldn't be taken for granted. Our competitiveness remains of critical importance.
The European Green Deal will see the gradual replacement of traditional fuel with synthetic aviation fuel in EU flights as from next year. The fuel blend is expected to cost higher than the current jet fuel used by operators in Malta due to the price of the fuel itself coupled with difficulties of supply and infrastructural investment. According to a study conducted by the Royal Dutch Aeronautical Institute, projections indicate that flight costs could escalate by up to Euro 60 each way.
Malta will end up competing with tourist destinations which are exempt from the new rules. In fact, the new Directive will exempt smaller airports, airports in the so-called outermost regions like Madeira and the Canaries and airports outside the EU like Morocco, Turkey and Tunisia. The European Green Deal, particularly its proposed revisions concerning air transport, could therefore lead to an increase in prices of flights to Malta.
Recently I participated in a debate on TVM. Former Labour MEP and now MEP candidate Claudette Abela Baldacchino said that "What happens in Brussels does not stay in Brussels." I agree perfectly with what Claudette said but maybe we need to go a little bit further and illustrate how Labour Ministers have repeatedly failed to negotiate EU laws to take into account the realities of the Maltese Islands.
Malta has a compelling case to make given that it is almost entirely dependent on air transport for tourism, the biggest industrial sector of our economy. 98% of tourists arrive to Malta by air in contrast to 50-60% averages for most of the other EU Member States which enjoy efficient road and rail networks. It is tragic that the Maltese government does not manage to make Malta’s case in Brussels on such a crucial development. We must ensure that European laws, including those within the framework of the European Green Deal, are aligned with the specific needs of our country; otherwise, they risk negatively impacting the competitiveness of our vital tourism sector. This is simply unacceptable, given the sector's significant contribution to our economy, providing sustenance for numerous Maltese families and businesses
One should keep in mind that the upcoming European Commission would need to garner support across various political factions including the Greens and hence the European Green Deal is likely to remain on top of the EU's agenda. We need to adapt laws to suit Malta's unique circumstances. European Commission initiatives should not impose disproportionate burdens on the country. This concern is also echoed in a manifesto issued by Malta Business Bureau on behalf of The Malta Chamber of Commerce and MHRA, underscoring its significance.
If elected as MEP I want to make use of provisions in the European People's Party's electoral manifesto, which advocates for assessing the territorial impact of European measures and laws before implementation—a principle I actively advocated for over the last three years and which I intend to uphold for Malta's benefit. We must emphasize the unique challenges faced by Malta as an island nation, and highlight the added cost of insularity during negotiations.
We must have the courage to say no thank you when needed, as the Germans did recently in blocking EU moves for an end to the combustion engine and as the French did recently in blocking environmental rules with impact on French farmers.
The EU is a space for close collaboration with our European Partners but we must have the assertiveness to defend our red lines. This is not being done by government today maybe because it is too distracted defending itself from daily scandals at home. We deserve better in Europe. We deserve competent MEPs who can represent us with renewed vigour. Only like that we can ensure that the next 20 years of EU membership will be at least as successful as the first 20 years. I will give my utmost in that direction. I am ready to use all my skills garnered over 21 years of experience in negotiating rooms in Brussels, to adapt Europe to Maltese needs. This I can do only with your support on the 8th of June.
Peter Agius, MEP Candidate