Aviation news

The European Commission no longer allows the government to pump money into Air Malta, but the company cannot survive without that support. That is why the Maltese government has decided to start a new state-owned company and start with a clean slate.

The idea is that the new company, KM Malta Airlines, will be more efficient and therefore ultimately able to survive without support. Something similar previously happened in neighboring Italy, where the very loss-making Alitalia was replaced by ITA Airways.

According to the government, KM Malta Airlines will take over Air Malta’s staff (with a new, likely cheaper contract) and have the same fleet size (of eight aircraft). The big difference is that soon there will be “a realistic business model with a sustainable long-term strategy”.

The government is pumping 350 million euros into the new company.

Long consultations with the European Commission
The establishment of KM Malta Airlines is the result of long consultations with the European Commission. As Malta was keen to retain a national carrier to ensure the connectivity of the archipelago, this was the best possible outcome, according to the government.

The last Air Malta flights will take place on March 30, after which KM Malta Airlines will launch on March 31. Anyone who already has a ticket for the period after March 30 can request a refund. This is guaranteed by the government. KM will start ticket sales on December 1.

Since KM will continue to fly seventeen major routes, scheduled services to Schiphol and Brussels do not appear to be in danger, but this must be confirmed at the start of ticket sales. The new airline will only fly with economical Airbus A320neos.

KM will be fully owned by the state in the first years, but later the company will have to be partly privatized by the European Commission. The government will then retain a major interest in society.

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2023-10-02 15:51:00
#Air #Malta #replaced #airline

Compared to other European airports, Schiphol has a relatively large number of baggage handlers. As a result, airline companies can choose from many options and costs remain low, says Harbers. On the other hand, according to the minister, this can also have negative consequences for quality and working conditions.

Last year, dissatisfaction with the working conditions at the handling companies and a shortage of personnel caused major problems at Schiphol. In the spring, baggage handlers went on wildcat strikes. That turned out to be the harbinger of a summer full of delays, long queues at the baggage check and travelers missing their flights.

The market for handling is not working optimally at the moment, Harbers reports on the basis of research he commissioned. According to the researchers, halving the number of handlers is the best way to improve safety, quality, effectiveness and efficiency. In that case, additional agreements must be made between Schiphol and the handling companies, they advise.

Harbers says he understands that the plans could have significant consequences for the baggage companies and their staff. That is why he wants to give interested parties the opportunity to respond to his proposal during a so-called consultation period. He does not want to make a final decision until the autumn. After that, a European tender will start to select future handling companies. The plan must be implemented by 2025.

The FNV says it is enthusiastic about the measure. “This is a good first step to put the quality of work above the price of personnel,” says the union. However, “enforceable social standards” must be agreed and clear agreements must be made to limit the workload.

The union also states that a transition to another employer can be difficult. That is why the plans in this regard should be laid down in more concrete terms. “The company that wins the tender must take over the personnel of other companies. While retaining the terms of employment. Clear additional agreements must be made about the transfer of undertaking,” continues FNV.

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2023-07-10 20:14:00
#Harbers #Number #baggage #handlers #Schiphol