Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1149911
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 31 JULY 2019 3 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The A320neo comes with a new gen- eration of engines that contribute to greater fuel efficiency and better envi- ronmental performance. Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi said the new planes will decrease the airline's operational costs by 20% as a result of greater fuel efficiency. This also means the aircraft are capable of longer-range flights. "For every new Airbus A320neo that joins Air Malta's fleet, the airline is sav- ing hundreds of tonnes of fuel per year and seeing a 24% reduction of CO2 emissions per seat," Mizzi said. The aircraft uses LED lighting, has larger luggage storage, offers more cab- in space, and produces 50% less noise than the older A320 models. Mizzi said the arrival of the second new aircraft marked an important step in the airline's history and development. "Apart from enhanced fuel and envi- ronmental performance, the aircraft fits perfectly with the airline's current fleet of A320s delivering seamless opera- tional integration and also costs savings in terms of training of engineers, pilots and other staff members," he said. Air Malta plans to have an all Airbus A320neo fleet over the next four years. "We look forward to complete Air Malta's fleet replacement programme, replacing our older aircraft with more modern ones offering enhanced ef- ficiency, reliability and a better seat configuration to our customers," Mizzi said. The airline registered a modest profit in the last financial year as it embarked on a growth strategy. Air Malta to have all Airbus A320neo fleet by 2023 Air Malta's new Airbus A320neo will arrive in Malta tonight Shannon Mak murder Blood found at accused's home matched victim's MATTHEW AGUIS BLOOD traces found inside a garage where Jelle Rijpma lived matched that of his alleged vic- tim, Shannon Mak, a court has heard. This emerged as a court- appointed expert testified in the compilation of evidence against Rijpma, a 23-year-old former igaming worker, who is accused of the murder of his former girlfriend and colleague Mak. Mak was found dead, with her throat slit, in Triq il-Mas- trudaxxi in Santa Venera in Au- gust last year. Blood samples taken from the crime scene by specially trained scene of crime officers were ana- lyzed by a court-appointed DNA expert, who testified that various blood samples taken from the scene and from the accused's clothes matched that of the vic- tim. Several traces of blood had been discovered inside the con- verted garage where Rijpma had been arrested on the day of the murder, where officers found him lying on a sofa watching tel- evision. There was blood near the en- trance, on the floor next to the table and fridge, between the dustbin and the sink, as well as on a throw-over. A mobile phone and a knife recovered up the road from the scene of the murder also had blood on them. All samples matched the victim, Cassar said. Taking questions from parte civile lawyer Stefano Filletti the expert said that not all the bloodstains had been visible to the naked eye, but that they had not been wiped. A "reddish spot" on a piece of glass, thought to be part of a bro- ken bottle of olive oil, had also matched the victim's blood, Dr Cassar said. Numerous forensic experts have testified so far, painting a detailed picture of the events leading up to the murder. The case continues. Inspectors Kurt Zahra and Robert Vella are prosecuting. Lawyer Leontine Calleja is de- fence counsel. 23-year-old Jelle Rijpma is accused of killing his former girlfriend and coworker, Shannon Mak (picured) in August last year CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The PN is hoping that as a European commissioner, Dalli will use her political influ- ence to ensure that "Muscat's government takes the fight against corruption and in fa- vour of good governance seri- ously". The spokesperson added that it was not the first time that the country had suffered because of bad reputation as a result of a lack of good govern- ance by the government. "The PN will be supporting Dalli's candidature in the in- terests of Maltese and Gozitan citizens, who are hardworking, honest people of goodwill," the spokesperson said. In the run up to last May's European elections, and be- fore Dalli's nomination was made public, Muscat had described the PN MEP can- didates' refusal to commit to supporting Malta's candidate as "shameful". Muscat had in- sisted the Labour Party always supported Maltese nominees in Europe. In 2016, at the height of the Panama Papers scandal, the PN then led by Simon Busut- til, had opposed Leo Brincat's nomination for the European Court of Auditors. Brincat's nomination was rejected by the European Par- liament but endorsed by the European Council. Dalli will be replacing Kar- menu Vella, who was com- missioner for the environment and maritime affairs in the outgoing legislature. It is not yet known what portfolio Dalli will be given by incoming European Commis- sion president Ursula von der Leyen. Dalli stepped down as Euro- pean affairs and equality min- ister the moment her nomina- tion to the commission was made known. Between 2013 and 2017 she held the role of minister for social dialogue, consumer af- fairs and civil liberties. The European affairs portfolio was added after the 2017 election. Since 2013, Dalli spear- headed wide-ranging reforms, from the historic introduc- tion of civil unions in 2014 to the banning of gay conversion therapy. One of the veterans within the Labour parliamentary group, Dalli was first elected to the House in 1996 and was appointed parliamentary sec- retary for Women's Rights within the Office of the Prime Minister. The MP from Żabbar has been elected to parliament in every election since. In the last election she was elected on two districts. PN will support Dalli 'in the interest of Maltese and Gozitan citizens'