After calling Air Malta ‘crap’ Davies offers apology

Air Malta's CEO Peter Davies offers apology for calling airline 'crap' during private meeting with Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

Air Malta CEO Peter Davies
Air Malta CEO Peter Davies

Air Malta chief executive Peter Davies described Air Malta as a "crap" airline during a private meeting held with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, which saw MHRA's members storming out of the room where the meeting was being held.

However, according to MHRA's President Tony Zahra, the CEO immediately offered an apology.

When contacted by MaltaToday, Zahra said that "it was purely the result of an emotional outbursts typical of such meetings. However, sometimes, such remarks are better not said."

"This was the case in this particular incident, and there was no need for an apology from Mr Davies since those present were all mature individuals. However, MHRA appreciated that Davies was a gentleman and offered an apology, which was quickly accepted."

When asked if Davies' comments would tarnish his future reputation with Air Malta, Zahra said that "MHRA is a major stakeholder in the local tourism industry and seeks to help and assist in assuring that Air Malta survives and thrives.

"MHRA does not believe that creating a storm in a teacup is the best solution in achieving this objective.

"MHRA recognises that Air Malta needs the help and input of everyone to ensure that this objective is reached and it certainly does not consider this minor incident to be a matter of such public debate nor something that should reflect badly on anyone in particular or on the airline itself for that matter. Certainly, it should not reflect badly on anyone present at the meeting especially since this was a private one."

MaltaToday asked Zahra what the focal point discussed during the meeting, apart from Davies's comments.

"MHRA believes our energy should be focused on convincing the EU to let keep Air Malta flying and in this respect the association added its strong voice during the European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani's visit in Malta this week."

Davies joined Malta's national airline last year following his position as managing director of Air Southwest in the UK after this newspaper had revealed that he had been head-hunted to take over the beleaguered airline.

A website, www.parliamentspeakers.com, which lists individuals renowned for hosting top speakers for high-level events, has Davies's name listed. The website states: "With his level of experience and knowledge, Peter is sure to provide compelling words of wisdom to any speaking event."

Comments like Davies' are apparently referred to as "doing a Ratner" gaffes in the UK.

Gerald Ratner became famous, or rather infamous, in the corporate world when he told a meeting of the UK's Institute of Directors that his jewellery firm's own products were "total crap". He was asked to resign by the group's investors and Ratners group had to change its name in a bid to recover its credibility.

Today, Ratner's speech is still considered as one of the worst examples of how to devaluate a company's image.

A qualified pilot, Davies has held operational and marketing positions in Qantas and as managing director at XP Express Systems, a subsidiary of KLM. He has over 35 years' experience in the aviation industry, both in passenger and express cargo operations and has served as CEO at SN Brussels Airlines, which he successfully launched as Sabena's successor.

During his term, Davies restored the airline's stability after two years of operation by rationalising the airline's network and internal processes and focusing on yield management on European and African routes.

Davies also oversaw the restructuring of BWIA into Caribbean Airlines. His overall experience covers various aspects of global transportation and express logistics including senior board positions in DHL based in Europe and the US.

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Mr Davies you are crab and the new members of the board. you must be ashamed of your self!!!
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Show him his way back home !!!!! Tiskantawx jaghtuh gieh ir republika qabel, ghax saru jqassmu dan il GIEH bhal pjanca pastizzi.
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There should not be any ifs and buts. All these people involved in abuses and facing criminal charges should resign out rightly. I do not agree with Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici in saying that their resignation should be a private matter. Since when abuses by Mayors, Vice Mayors, councillors, Executive secretaries and LCA president is classified as a private matter. These people are being paid from the taxpayers’ monies and they should be bold enough, having been accused for doing corruption and resign. There is no smoke without fire. At least they should show that they are repentant. No wonder 41% of the electorate stayed home and turned their backs on the council’s elections.
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Well while were at it Davies i think your a lanky twat. Oh and a useless one at that.
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Well while were at it Davies i think your a lanky twat. Oh and a useless one at that.
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"Gentleman" my foot. Gentlemen don't refer to operators in that manner! website www.parliamentspeakers.com has stated about Mr. Peter Davies that: "With his level of experience and knowledge, Peter is sure to provide compelling words of wisdom to any speaking event." He sure showed us how wise he has been!
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"CRAP" ? are the Maltese people paying you Mr Davies half a million euros just to insult us. Why don't you start doing your work and achieve what you promised us. Is it crap because you're getting all that money and you're going to fire some 500 employees? We should all bear in mind this when we go to Vote in the next Election especially those who have the Hon Tonio Fenech on their ballot paper. Fon't forget we are "Cwiec Maltin" Do you know that I didn’t get my blood pressure pills for the last two months from the pharmacy of your choice which Dr Gonzi boasts so much about. Do you know that your pay is twenty five times higher than mine, and I have been in the service for thirty five years? I hope that at least you paying Income Tax like I do. The same goes for ARRIVA. We are being ripped off of our hard earned money by foreign and what are we getting in return? Shame on you Mr Davies and the Maltese Goverment.
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Joseph MELI
Cant see what all the fuss is about as Mr .Davies was absolutely right in his description of Air Malta but the same cannot be said of his salary-more's the pity!
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Moda gdida din? L-ewwel tparla fil vojt u wara titlob skuza (bhal Julian Galea). Jiddispjacini imma skuza mhux accettata wara li qed tiehu dawk il-flus kollha.