Air Malta invests €3.5 million in new ground services equipment

Investment modernises all Air Malta airport ground equipment and reduces operating costs.

13 July 2012, 12:00am

2 min read

Air Malta has committed an investment of €3.5 million in new ground service equipment specifically for airport environment use.

The airline said the business case for this heavy investment was to modernise the airline's ground handling capabilities and service delivery standards.

The list of equipment purchased comprises 35 vehicles and other airport units that include high- reach mobile passenger steps, ground power units, airport buses, loader transporters, electric tow tractors, ambulifts, air starter units, fork-lifters, cargo dollies, baggage and cargo carts and various trucks. A tendering process was followed for the purchase of this equipment.

This investment will not only standardise and modernise all Air Malta's airport ground equipment fleet but will also reduce operating costs for the airline. The ground power vehicles purchased, which supply electric power to aircraft whilst on the ground, operate at less than one forth the cost then their corresponding power units found onboard aircraft.

€2.3 million worth of equipment has already been delivered. The rest will be delivered in the next six months.

"We are taking a comprehensive review of every element of the organisation not only at a financial turnaround. This investment is part of the airline's restructuring efforts aimed at offering all our customers both individual travellers and corporate airline clients the best in high quality services and increase confidence in their airline of choice," CEO Peter Davies said.

"Air Malta's ground services are undergoing massive restructuring and this investment is important as through it our employees can offer a better product to our clients. We still have a lot to do, but I am pleased that we are moving positively forward on several initiatives."

Air Malta's ground handling services are equipped to handle practically all types of passenger and commercial aircraft from a small light aircraft to aircraft as large as the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A380 including various other large freighter aircraft.

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All this money, our money, is being squandered – Air Malta only operates ten aircraft, no other airline with such a small narrow body fleet is self handled (Ryanair have 300 aircraft and they are not self handled anywhere!!). The staff would have had a better chance if these very expensive services were sourced out prior to the equipment purchase. Currently, some staff are being made to work extra overtime to replace others that were shed off, part timers being employed, even some holding other full time jobs. Some even in places that are not required such as cargo. One really wonders what is happening; now they are calling in old staff that left years ago, there are calls for promotions or maybe……. the election is getting closer and we have to appease someone. The equipment purchase could also be that after the election, these services will be sourced out and the new owner will be very happy to take over with brand new equipment without paying anything. It will be interesting to know how many part timers are employed and how much overtime is being paid.