The Gozo Tourism Association has issued a statement with regards to the laying off of a number of pilots and cabin crew members by the National Airline due to the Covid-19 crisis and the statements issued by Air Malta and ALPA.

The GTA said that “whilst fully understanding the concerns of Air Malta to mitigate operating costs, and the unions’ rights to defend its members,” it called for “prudent and non-hasty decisions.”

The GTA highlighted the statement by UNWTO Secretary General, “the world coronavirus pandemic is a challenge we must face together. The response must be calm, consistent and collective.”

“Tourism will once again be here to the Maltese Islands and both Air Malta and the Pilots and Cabin Crew members have a vital role to play after this is all over,” the GTA said. “The National Airline remains the life line, particularly to the tourism industry. Right now, it is not the time to blame one another.”

The Gozo Tourism Association appealed to Air Malta, ALPA and the unions representing other airline staff members to “follow their respective claims around the discussion table by sensitive and logical reasoning, always keeping in mind the strategic role, Air Malta is playing in the connectivity to the Maltese Islands.”

The Association concluded, “we are all together in these difficult and challenging times, and the Gozo Tourism Association augurs, that solutions are to be sought and reached together, towards an amicable agreement for the benefit of all concerned and the tourism industry in general.”

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