Pilots’ absence delays 2,000 passengers, costs Air Malta €500,000

Adds reaction by Malta Employers Association

Air Malta has incurred €500,000 in denied boarding compensation costs in just one day, because of a disruption caused by pilots calling in sick.

"It is hard to understand the thinking behind today's disruption. Air Malta remains at a critical stage of restructuring and our future has not yet been secured. To disrupt customers, damage tourism to Malta and incur over €500,000 in costs in just one day is wholly irresponsible," Air Malta chief executive Peter Davies said.

Over 2,000 passengers experienced either cancellations or flight delays of up to five hours.

Air Malta said that ALPA president Dominic Azzopardi had to ensure that his union members "to fly if fit for duty".

"This is the most effective way for Mr Azzopardi to demonstrate that the union was not behind what has taken place today as he has claimed. Air Malta is clear that any pilot who is unfit for duty is bound to report sick and not operate a flight. This is well understood in the airline industry."

Air Malta has cancelled two scheduled flights to and from Benghazi, Milan and Newcastle, after half of the airline's pilot complement called in sick.

Flights to and from Tel Aviv, Paris-Orly, Cardiff, Budapest, Frankfurt, Vienna and Catania were seriously delayed.

"Air Malta regrets any inconvenience caused to passengers and will do its utmost to minimise disruption. So far over 2,018 passengers have been impacted. It is likely that more flights will be delayed and some may be cancelled. The airline will do its utmost to provide transportation to passengers on alternative flights or on other airlines," the airline said in a statement.

While tourism minister Karmenu Vella is abroad on official business, a government source said he is being kept abreast of the situation. Air Malta chief executive Peter Davies was also away, according to an airline source.

Air Malta advised passengers to check the latest situation which will be updated regularly on its website at airmalta.com.

Since yesterday evening up to 20 Air Malta pilots had reported sick, resulting in major disruption to customers. "This represents an extraordinary level of sickness reports amongst Air Malta's community of 110 pilots - some nine times the normal average or 40% of the available pilot complement," the airline said.

"Air Malta is concerned that more pilots may call sick which could affect the airline's flights for this morning and afternoon. The airline is scheduled to operate 30 flights today."

The president of pilots' union ALPA, Dominic Azzopardi, said the airline had long been operating on the perception that none of its pilots would ever report in sick.

"We had already warned them that pilots' complement was missing 16 after the early retirement schemes. We suggested that they upgrade six first officers to captain and introduce six new pilots, but we were ignored," Azzopardi said.

Azzopardi also said that ALPA told Air Malta to reinstate some 20 pilots seconded to airlines abroad. "It was ALPA that brought in a recruitment agency to have 20 pilots fly other airlines' planes, and we managed to save Air Malta €2 million in salaries," Azzopardi said.

The ALPA president also claimed that Air Malta management was not scheduling pilots' rosters well ahead of time.

"Do you believe that Air Malta flights are not even manned the morning of the flight? According to the collective agreement, pilots should be assigned to a flight three days ahead of the flight. Instead, Air Malta are just calling up pilots on standby to come in and fly the planes.

"Air Malta has spent the entire summer working on the perception that people don't get sick, and this what has just happened."

Malta Employers Association reaction

The delays elicited the outrage of the Malta Employers' Association, which said it was "unacceptable" that 40% of the normal pilot complement reported sick.

The MEA said the action appeared to be abusive, describing the pilots as "utterly disruptive and irresponsible".

"It tarnishes the image of the company they work for, placing at risk the jobs of all Air Malta employees. Furthermore the pilots disregarded the welfare of thousands of passengers who were left stranded due to cancelled flights."

"On the assumption that these pilots' absence has been authorised by doctors, the MEA expresses reservations on what might appear to be rather lax certification of sick leave by the medical profession. What is Air Malta facing, an outbreak of a disease or unofficial industrial action ordered by ALPA?

"Could it be that the real ailment is an allergy to the civilised practice of resolving industrial disputes through proper channels, without jeopardising the running of an enterprise?"

MEA called upon ALPA to distance itself from possible sick leave abuse, saying the union should pledge its support to management in cases where sick leave abuse is proven.

"Sick leave should never be used as a tool to interrupt Air Malta's operation. ALPA must distance itself from any unofficial, outdated and unethical industrial action," MEA said.