Air Malta pilots' strike called off

Air Malta pilots called off its strike action on 13-Jul-2011 after three hours of talks between the Prime Minister, the pilots' union (ALPA) and Air Malta (Times of Malta/Malta Star, 13-Jul-2011). "All strike actions by the pilots have been withdrawn," the carrier and union said. During the meeting, the parties agreed to work closely in securing an improved agreement for Air Malta with Malta International Airport, improving the performance of Air Malta, seeking new opportunities on cargo, and facing the challenges that will turn around the profitability of the company. "On the issues pertaining to the compliment of pilots within the restructuring process, while ALPA recognises the need to reduce the number of pilots, management will engage in active discussions with ALPA to maximise utilisation of the crew compliment," the carrier and union said. The union had planned to hold the strike on 16-Jul-2011. Air Malta CEO Peter Davies previously stated the notification of industrial action was unfounded and it was in the interests of both parties to engage in serious dialogue to identify solutions to the problems at the carrier (Times of Malta, 13-Jul-2011).