Pilots union insists MIA charges ‘excessive’

Air Malta’s airline pilots association has once again pointed its finger at Malta International Airport (MIA) for levying excessive charges on Air Malta, and rubbished MIA’s claim that its excessive airport charges are unfounded.

Captain Dominic Azzopardi said it is airport operators, and not government or national tourism authorities, who offer incentives to attract airlines to use their facilities.

“Other airports - unlike MIA - give further discounts to children, students and even senior citizens,” Azzopardi claimed. “But MIA persists in comparing these airport charges to its own charges without taking into considerations attractive incentives offered by international airports worldwide.”

Azzopardi went on to give example of other airports’ incentives: Brussels national airport offering a 3-year incentive, Budapest offering a 5-year incentive, Poland and Tallinn offering an open invite welcoming anyone interested in their airport operations to contact airport authorities and negotiate special offers.

“Turkey even goes a step further and offers a 50% reduction on all fees for airlines operating during the winter months,” he said.

Azzopardi said that ALPA had not been offered any government incentives such as exclusivity or monopoly to operate out of Malta as the operators of Malta International Airport have.

“MIA fails to mention that Air Malta pays a hefty charge for every kilo of cargo loaded out of Malta, rental of airport offices, use of staff car park or even a levy for every litre of fuel uplifted out of Malta,” he said.   

Azzopardi said that one look at the World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Competiveness Report 2011 is enough to see Malta ranking with the higher cost airports in Europe – “whilst competitors such as Spain, Italy, Tunisia and Cyprus are way cheaper”.

Azzopardi questions how MIA can compare its services to those provided at airports in Munich, Lyon, Orly and Birmingham.
“Is MIA aware that services charged at these airports include use of Air Bridge, ground power for the first hour, passenger transport from remote stands, aircraft marshalling and more?” Azzopardi asked.

Azzopardi also claimed that MIA fails to mention or compare its long term aircraft parking fees, since Air Malta uses MIA as its home base.
The pilot’s union also called on MIA to point out what incentives it is offering to Air Malta, it being  the major user of MIA.

“Other airlines using MIA are given privileges such as use of stands which do not require coach ferrying to and from the aircraft. What sort of reduction does MIA offer to Air Malta both for long term aircraft parking or other airport charges? What sort of incentive does MIA offer to Air Malta - the main operator out of MIA - during the lean winter periods?”  Azzopardi asked.

“Without Air Malta, MIA and its dependents will struggle to survive and it is in its interest to protect Air Malta.”

Azzopardi said that without Air Malta, MIA income will be 50% less and a loss of €10 million can be expected. “In turn MIA investments and shares will be harshly effected,” he said.

The union also said it “is glad” to read that MIA is saying that the passenger charge is €19: “The figure of €19.89 does not tally with information provided by Ernst and Young.” 

Azzopardi pointed out that MIA has admitted that its airport charges have not changed since 2006.
Azzopardi said the union would like to discuss these issues with MIA: “A compromise should be reached to safeguard the future of the National airlines and the interests of the 6600 share holders who have invested in MIA.”

In its concluding note, the pilot’s union acknowledged the safety offered by MIA and the safety record of Air Traffic Control and the professional Security service offered by Office of the Manager Airport Security (OMAS).