Air Malta said today that it managed to operate almost all its flights over the past few days, despite the inclement weather.In cases where flights were diverted, it offered assistance to its passengers by providing ground transfers between airports."Other airlines simply cancelled flights without giving their passengers any alternatives," Air Malta said.It explained that the weather conditions disrupted five flights last Sunday. Flight KM 352 from Malta to Dusseldorf was amongst the over 40 flights that were diverted to Cologne. Air Malta provided coach transfers to its passengers from Cologne to Dusseldorf. The airline also provided coach transfers to the Malta bound passengers from Dusseldorf to Frankfurt to connect with KM329 bound for Malta.KM328/9 (Malta/Frankfurt/Malta) was also delayed by four hours due to Air Traffic Control restrictions and in order to wait for the passengers who were being transported from Dusseldorf airport.Following the closure due to bad weather of Brussels Airport on Sunday, Air Malta had no alternative but to cancel its flight to Brussels. The flight Malta-Brussels-Amsterdam-Malta flew only to Amsterdam with a delay of five hours also due to weather conditions in Amsterdam. Passengers booked on the cancelled flight to Brussels were offered free re-bookings.KM139 from Manchester to Malta suffered the longest delay -26 hours. After the arrival of flight KM 138 from Malta, Manchester airport was closed due to heavy snow. The flight delay was further compounded by the operating crew running out of hours and de-icing procedures. Air Malta offered the booked passengers on the return flight with complementary hotel accommodation."As a value focused airline Air Malta extends its support to its passengers in such circumstances and tries to minimise the inconveniences by limiting disruptions whilst offering alternatives where interruptions in services are necessary," Air Malta said(www.timesofmalta.com)
Air Malta saw passenger growth of 5.1% in October compared to the same month last year, figures issued by the Association of European Airlines show. The airline welcomed 163,600 passengers, recording a load factor of almost 71%. In the 10 months to October, the airline carried 1.3 million passengers, a load factor of 67.2%. The number of passengers was down 2.9% on the same 10 months last year, with capacity having been increased by 5.8%.The AEA said that the year-end total of passenger traffic in Europe was expected to be down by more than 4% on the already depressed 2008 figure.(www.timesofmalta.com)
Low-cost airline easyJet is planning to introduce a daily Rome-Malta service on March 12, competing head-on with Air Malta and Alitalia, informed sources said. The service has not been officially announced yet, but the route appears on the easyJet website.easyJet will be flying to Malta from Fiumicino, Rome's main airport. It is understood that the airline has not applied for assistance to operate the route, as is the case for many other low cost operations. A few weeks ago easyJet announced in would start a Milan-Malta service on March 30th, 2010, with three weekly flights. A Liverpool-Malta service starts on June 13th, 2010. All easyJet aircraft will start being serviced in Malta as from next year thanks to the setting up in Malta of the aircraft maintenance facility of SR Technics.(www.timesofmalta.com)
Air Malta financial losses are in excess of €25 million as Lawrence Zammit, Air Malta chairperson, is mulling resignation, newspaper Business today said.The newspaper said: "Air Malta Chairman Lawrence Zammit is reported to have informed government that he is considering resigning his post during the first months on the New Year, possible when the Annual General Meeting is convened some time in March."It is seem that Air Malta’s financial results are in excess of €25 million, with 2010 being seen as crucial for the company to "survive."The blame is being placed on fuel price, the value of the sterling against the euro and on the unions. "The summer of 2008 saw the greatest rise in fuel price, while demand was strong and traffic increase … that year Air Malta was hit by an increase of €30 million in fuel costs," Joe Capello, Air Malta CEO, said.Moreover, the company also blamed the unions for not being "realistic" in the current situation. Yet, the jobs of 2,000 employees are now at risk, with one senior official urging the authorities for "real and immediate action."(www.maltastar.com)
The Swedish Coast Guard vessel KBV 002 Triton - a KBV 001 class - arrived this morning in Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) on a courtesy visit.
KBV 002 is currently on her maiden/delivery voyage from her builders Damen Shipyards Galati, Romania, to the Swedish Coast Guard.
KBV 002 Triton is scheduled to sail from Malta on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010.
Air Malta said today that it managed to operate almost all its flights over the past few days, despite the inclement weather.
