16.08.2022 - 09:27 UTC
The Maltese government has advanced backup plans to dissolve Air Malta (KM, Malta Int'l) at the end of October 2022 and to transfer its few remaining profitable assets to a new, as yet unnamed, state-owned airline, reports The Shift independent news platform.
Air Malta declined to comment on the report. "I suggest that you only follow official communications issued by either the company or its shareholder, " Air Malta Executive Chairman David G. Curmi informed ch-aviation on inquiry.
This comes amidst reported doubts in government that the European Commission will approve Malta’s request for a EUR290 million euros (USD297 million) state-funded rescue package for Air Malta. The backup plan would be actioned should Brussels not greenlight the state aid, resulting in the redundancy of the entire Air Malta workforce. New contracts would be drawn up based on current market conditions for all those re-hired by the new state-owned airline.
The plan - reportedly already approved by Prime Minster Robert Abela and Finance Minister Clyde Caruana – aims to achieve a smooth transition from Air Malta...
15.07.2022 - 05:47 UTC
Citing "ongoing external disruptions", Wizz Air (W6, Budapest) expects to cut flights by a further 5% this summer to reduce the impact on its services amid staff shortages, strikes, and bottlenecks at major European airports.
"In total, for the peak summer period, we expect to reduce utilisation by a further 5% versus the plan outlined at the full year results to reduce the impact of ongoing external disruptions. We now expect summer ASK (available seat kilometre) growth to be around 35% versus F20," the airline said in a first quarter trading update.
The Hungarian budget carrier said it is adjusting its schedules "where we have seen a higher occurrence of issues (e.g. slot allocation issues, turn-around timings)….to be able to avoid cancellations and secure a more punctual operation for our customers".
The airline is following in the footsteps of several other carriers, which have been forced to cut capacity as the ongoing staffing crisis at airports hampers them from taking advantage of a resurge in travel demand following COVID-19. Among those affected are KLM Royal...
07.07.2022 - 17:44 UTC
Airlines have been forced to cancel hundreds of flights from Amsterdam Schiphol this summer after Europe's embattled third-largest airport announced it was capping capacity in July and August amid continued bottlenecks and delays resulting from staff shortages.
As reported, Schiphol's solution to the crisis has been to cut 13,500 seats daily between July 6 and August 28, 2022, potentially leaving airlines out of pocket at a time when they are gearing up for peak summer demand following the COVID-19 pandemic. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL, Amsterdam Schiphol) has already warned it will hold the airport responsible for any financial impact and has strongly criticised that airlines are left to bear the burden of capacity problems at the airport.
The requirement to cancel flights and reduce seat capacity at Schiphol in July and August is being enforced on all airlines operating from there by the Dutch slot coordinator.
Consequently, hundreds of flights at Schiphol have been cancelled or diverting to other airports close by, including Rotterdam, Eindhoven, and Brussels Charleroi in...
Editorial Comment: Added information from KLM. - 14.07.2022 - 06:51 UTC
28.06.2022 - 03:12 UTC
Air Malta (KM, Malta Int'l) will wet-lease an additional A320-200 from GetJet Airlines (GW, Vilnius) to cater to the increased demand during the peak summer season.
The aircraft will fly for the Maltese airline between July 1 and October 2022.
"This additional aircraft will facilitate extra services on markets including Madrid Barajas, Prague Václav Havel, Lyon St. Exupéry, and charter services to Warsaw Chopin," Chief Commercial Officer Roy Kinnear said.
The ch-aviation schedules module shows that the aircraft will also be deployed to Amsterdam Schiphol, Berlin Brandenburg Int'l, Düsseldorf, Geneva, London Gatwick, Milan Linate, Rome Fiumicino, and Vienna.
Air Malta's in-house fleet comprises three A320-200s and four A320-200Ns, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows. In turn, GetJet Airlines operates four A320-200s.
