Pilots blame inefficient rostering as cause of Air Malta delays

Pilots' union ALPA said it was concerned about the "abnormal" level of sick leave by some 20 pilots, which led to the disruption of flights and delays in the Air Malta schedule.

"We are investigating as to whether there is any link to fatigue-induced sickness," ALPA said.

Earlier in the day, ALPA president Dominic Azzopardi denied that this was an unofficial strike by pilots protesting with Air Malta management over low staffing.

"ALPA has long stated the current number of pilots is not enough. We have 110 when 117 pilots, including three management pilots [can be made available]... low-cost airlines have such a crew complement even when they fly more hours than Air Malta, but they fly less night flights, which cost twice as many man-hours as a low-cost flight in the day," Azzopardi said.

Air Malta pilots can fly up to 900 hours a year, legally, but on average the pilots are flying close to 600 hours over 12 months.

ALPA said that according to the very limited information it had at hand, it was not only sickness that was the reason that flights were cancelled.

"As early as yesterday afternoon several of today's flights had missing crew and Air Malta had not yet called in crew on standby.

"With respect to the Milan flight, both the captain and first officer were delayed at London Heathrow yesterday, and had to be removed from the flight. ALPA had months ago informed Air Malta of the routine delays of this London flight, disrupting the roster. Corrective action was not taken."

ALPA added that the captain on today's London-Gatwick flight had been removed by Air Malta and two other captains placed on this flight. "What's worrying is that Air Malta does not know why or whom removed him from this flight. The captain himself informed Air Malta of the situation, and the same captain later operated another flight."

In Cardiff, ALPA said the crew on this flight could not operate according to the original schedule because it conflicted with a previous, rostered flight. Further crew disruptions occurred because crew were routinely scheduled in a tight configuration, ALPA said, meaning that when they are called from standby or if a flight is delayed, "a large knock-on effect will cause havoc to the Air Malta schedule."

The pilots union further explained that pilots on sick leave were liable to financial penalties. "One-third of the salary depends on flying hours... all pilots on sick leave have to produce a medical certificate and the company sends its own doctors. Pilots currently on sick leave are actually waiting for the company doctors to verify their sickness. If Air Malta has any suspicions, it should send its own doctors immediately," ALPA said.

The union also said that three pilots have been on extended sick leave, in response to claims by Air Malta that on average two pilots claim sick leave every month.

"A common cold is enough to stop a pilot from flying and it is actually a legal requirement for a pilot to get clearance form a doctor if he feels any form of sickness."