Update 2 | Air Malta flights affected due to technical fault

An Air Malta flight which left the Malta International Airport at 8am had to return back to base after a mere 20 minutes when the plane registered a technical fault with its navigation system.

But upon getting back in the air at around 10am, the same aircraft made a second return to base: the apparent technical fault had not been resolved and another aircraft to take the passengers to Milan, Italy, was not provided.

Flight KM624, destined to Milan Linate, was flying between Gozo and Sicily when the flight’s captain informed the passengers of his decision to return to the Luqa airport as a safety precaution.

He told the passengers that since engineers could not provide clarification regarding the technical fault, he opted not to take any risks and decided to turn back.

MaltaToday is informed that the technical fault developed in the navigation system, which aids the pilot during take-off and landing.

At no point was the safety of the passengers compromised. 

Upon landing, Air Malta engineers confirmed the fault and decided to replace the electronic tool, forcing the flight to leave around 9.15am. Due to the delay, the captain ordered the refuelling of the aircraft as a safety precaution.

In an official statement, Air Malta said KM624 which departed on schedule at 7:55a.m. returned back to Malta for the second time due to technical reasons.

“After being serviced by the airline’s engineers, the aircraft departed again but returned back as a precautionary measure since the technical issue was reported again. In both occasions, the aircraft landed normally back in Malta. At no point was the safety of the passengers compromised,” the airline said.

The aircraft is currently being inspected by Air Malta engineers.

As a consequence of this a number of flights will today be affected.

Customers scheduled to depart on today’s flights are advised to visit Air Malta website www.airmalta.com for the latest updates. They can also visit www.maltairport.com or contact flight enquiries of Malta International Airport on tel: 5230 2000 (charge rates apply) for updated flight departure and arrival information.

The spokesman for Air Malta said that the airline gives “utmost importance to the safety and well-being of its clients and crew and apologised to its clients for any inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond its control.”

Consequently, the subsequent Air Malta flight from Milan Linate to Malta was delayed by an hour, but when it finally took off the pilot once again decided to turn the aircraft back to Malta. Passengers are now alighting from the aircraft, but appear to be in the dark as to what the problem is.