Air Malta's potential pilot strike a 'totally irresponsible action': CEO

Air Malta stated (07-Jul-2011) it is aware of plans by its pilots' unions to conduct possible industrial action in coming days. CEO Peter Davies stated the proposed strike is a "totally irresponsible action" (Malta Times, 07-Jul-2011). Mr Davies, in a memo to staff, said talk of industrial action had already started to cause the airline "financial harm via loss of bookings and people deciding not to come to Malta during the summer". He said action had already been taken on "waivers and favours", which have resulted in a reduction of the company's deficit by more than EUR10 million for 2011/12. Mr Davies said that if pilots proceeded with strike action on 16-Jul-2011, the gains they were seeking "will be outweighed by the short and long-term losses to the airline's revenue and reputation". [more]