Pilots urge European Commission to apply ‘fair and proportionate conditions’

The Airline Pilot's Association Malta (ALPA) has urged the European Commission to consider the pivotal role played by the national airline in the economic and social progression of the economy and the island in general.

ALPA said this in an eight-page document to the EC in response to the Commission's report on state aid to Air Malta.

The association highlighted a number of disadvantages that Air Malta and Malta's economy as a whole suffer as a consequence of being an island nation situated on the fringe of Europe.

ALPA added that for Malta - a European regional island nation - any additional restrictions that may be imposed by the Commission may ultimately further hinder the free movement of people, goods and services within the European Union and would therefore go against the primary objectives of the European Union charter.

"The Commission must apply fair and proportionate conditions and considerations when a final decision is taken on whether subsidies may be given to Air Malta as part of a restructuring plan," ALPA president Dominic Azzopardi said.

"ALPA has come to the conclusion that before any compensatory measures such as a forced reduction in routes are imposed on Air Malta, consideration must first be given to a number of disadvantages that result from Air Malta's particular market location, the airline's size and other important issues."

In its response document, ALPA said that Air Malta is primarily committed to help the Maltese economy since the airline serves routes that are more costly to operate, especially as a result of the relatively small and seasonal markets.

"The airline has limited flexibility having only one base which is situated far from Europe's main hubs," Azzopardi said. "Forcing Air Malta to reduce its routes would only increase the airline's vulnerability."

ALPA said that it asked the Commission to consider Air Malta and Malta on their own merits. "Primarily to apply proportionate considerations to requests for exemptions or a substantial and significant reduction in imposed compensatory measures from Air Malta plc," the association said.

"The imposition of unduly harsh or unreasonable compensatory measures on Air Malta Plc will have a negative effect on the economic and social progression of Malta and its economy."