Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said in negotiations with the EU Government should emphasise the strategic, social and economic roles of Air Malta which cannot be delivered by other airlines that can easily decide not to operate in Malta. AD added that Government loans to Air Malta should be accompanied by sustainable restructuring that give due importance to financial viability and workers’ rights.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said, “Unless made viable, Air Malta faces serious problems in the context of a liberalised aviation market. Whilst Air Malta has had to face cutthroat competition and increased fuel prices, it has also been used by successive governments, including the Nationalist Government since 1987, as an electoral tool, and has also employed people for reasons that have nothing to do with economic viability. At the same time, the management of the airline has failed to make the company viable, even after all Air Malta workers signed a memorandum in 2004 which include wage freezes and at times deductions in order to help the situation. During the years, various strategic mistakes were also made by the airline, such as the buying of loss-making aeroplanes and hotels.”

Prof. Arnold Cassola, AD Spokesperson on EU and International Affairs, stated, “‘The EU should allow Air Malta the possibility to inject new capital into the company for it to become viable. Malta is a very different case from other EU countries. The EU authorities should keep in mind the condition of insularity of the Maltese, and of double insularity of the Gozitans, who have no possibility of quick communication with the outside world if not by air. Apart from its commercial purpose, Air Malta has also got to fulfil this social role.” “The EU should allow for exceptional provisions in the case of Malta with regard to air travel, on the lines of the EU legislative principle of “territorial continuity” (“continuita’ territoriale”), which guarantees favourable air and sea transport to those disadvantaged islands of a greater nation. At the moment, the residents of Sardegna, Lampedusa, Pantelleri benefit form such EU legislation. Though not forming part of a larger nation, the residents of Malta and Gozo, because of their disadvantaged insular condition, should be afforded the same possibilities as the residents of Sardegna, Lampedusa amd Pantelleria and, as a consequence, the national carrier, Air Malta, together with other airlines, could benefit from certain particular operational conditions,” concluded Prof. Cassola.

Michael Briguglio added that should any workers be laid off by the company, they should be absorbed by the public sector in productive and required employment or be given alternative jobs in the private sector. Failing that, early retirement schemes could be used as a last resort, as it would be better to have such workers in productive employment.

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