1 comment.It is “imperative and essential” to have a national airline – Gozo Tourism Association
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The Gozo Tourism Association, in a statement regarding the recently announced national airline restructuring plan, said that it “fully agrees” that Air Malta has to “strictly operate” on commercial lines.
The Association stressed that “the Maltese Islands cannot afford to become fully dependent on other airlines to sustain entire markets within the tourism industry. Therefore, it is imperative and essential to have a national airline.”
The Association added that it believed that Government should “explore all avenues and possibilities to render the national airline financially viable.”
“Air Malta is the flag carrier of the Maltese Islands, making it a very important asset that needs to be valued as the National Airline,” said the GTA.
It went on to say that “some difficult decisions had to be taken at some point in time to ensure that Air Malta operates more efficiently while meeting the needs of the Maltese economy, particularly those of tourism.”
The Association stressed that “there is no doubt that Air Malta plays an important strategic role in the tourism industry of the Maltese islands, more so now at a time that requires the rethinking, recovering and revitalising of this important sector.”
However, the GTA stated, “our Islands should have and deserves an airline that operates more efficiently and can sustainably move forward.”
Yes, cost containment is certainly an important consideration with the viability of any product / business – however it should not be the only consideration!
Care, comfort, and satisfaction of passengers that often MUST utilize Air Malta from connecting hubs in the EU is also vital for business longevity and prosperity.
Air Malta flights are some of the most crowded, inconvenient, & unfriendly planes I have ever had occasion to fly – and I am a frequent flyer.
Regularly there seems to be so much disorganized procedure while awaiting boarding at gates in Paris, Amsterdam, etc. In-flight snacks and beverages are costly with no complimentary (free) choices available. The flight attendants seem required to peddle excursion tickets and services while in flight. Really?Again, I must stress the terribly crowded seat configuration on these planes!
For these reasons and whenever possible, I avoid Air Malta.
Air travel (especially long hauls) is plenty tiresome and uncomfortable and the last leg of an already lengthy trip could be greatly improved if Air Malta prioritized the needs & comfort of their passengers in a way more consistent with successful carriers that service the EU.
Make us wish to fly Air Malta instead of conducting business with a “they don’t have much choice, so we’ll bleed every possible Euro from them” way of thinking.
Thank you for your time and consideration.