Air Malta chairman warns: cheap election flights ‘unaffordable’

Air Malta chairman Louis Farrugia has warned that the national airline "cannot afford" in any way to issue any cheap tickets for voters living abroad should a snap election be called.

Cheap tickets and the operation of extra flights from a number of airports was the norm in the country during general elections and referenda, the last one held last May when the nation was called to the polls to vote on the introduction of divorce.

Speaking to MaltaToday shortly after announcing the airline's financial results which showed an operating loss of €33.9 million, Farrugia said that any request for cheap tickets or additional flights would "severely impact further on the company losses", adding that the national carrier "cannot afford it".

Last May, Air Malta operated eight extra flights from Luxemburg, London Gatwick, Manchester and Brussels routes to carry people who wished to vote in the divorce referendum.

The schemes applied to eligible voters whose names appear on the latest electoral register, including those married to foreigners, studying, working or undergoing medical treatment abroad and also to their dependents aged 18 and under. Flights last May cost €35.

More than 500 Maltese voters took advantage of the cheap flights offered by Air Malta in May at the reduced cost of €35.

During the 2008 general election, some 1,400 people had booked a seat to ensure they voted, after Air Malta announced it was selling seats for €35 inclusive of taxes and other charges.

Operating special flights is considered as a logistical nightmare for Air Malta which would need to negotiate and pay for additional slots from Europe's most busiest airports.