Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1219206
3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 MARCH 2020 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications AIR Malta has launched a number of temporary initiatives aimed at adapting to the current changing situation related to COVID-19 concerns. These initiatives, which include of- fering customers more flexibility when making new bookings or wishing to make changes to their existing travel itinerary, are aimed to ease the impact that coronavirus concerns are having on customers and the airline's inventory. Customers who have booked an Air Malta flight prior to today can change their date of travel and destination for €10 per passenger per sector, plus the applicable fare difference and taxes. This is valid for Go Light and Go Smart fares only. Customers must confirm changes by 31st March 2020 and all travel must take place by the 31st December 2020. The option is not applicable to cus- tomers who have already changed or cancelled their itinerary prior to this communication. Customers who book Air Malta flights as from 4 March 2020 on Go Light and Go Smart will have the flexi- bility to make changes to their itinerary or request a refund of the ticket. These changes will be available for €10 per passenger per sector and any difference in fare and taxes for those who choose to rebook. Any requests must be notified to the airline a minimum of 30 days prior to the original date of the first sector's de- parture, otherwise normal ticket terms and conditions will apply. All travel must be completed by the 31st Decem- ber 2020. No changes have been made to any other fare ticket conditions. Customers wishing to avail them- selves of the above options are kindly requested to contact the Airline's call centre on +356 2166 2211 (pressing option 8) or the airlines sales office at Malta International Airport. These changes in fare conditions are being introduced for customers to have more peace of mind when booking flights with the Airline. Changes to Air Malta's flight schedule are also being made, especially on Italian routes. The airline is constantly mon- itoring the evolving situation and will announce further changes if the need arises. Stephen Gauci, Air Malta Fortina ferry THE St Julian's council would like to express its concern and surprise after the decision taken by the EPC/Planning Authority Board regarding PA 07628/19 - Landing place proposal as part of a new venture consisting of a sea-based hop- on hop-off maritime service as the same members of the board on the 3 February 2020 had expressed before their objec- tion based on the policies in place and now, they accepted the application when there were no changes in the same pol- icies. While the information related to this application was given late and the pro- cedures were not observed, the Council would like to insist that the policies should always be observed. Balluta Bay is described as a bathing zone and should be reserved for swimmers, and a boat service using a 33m vessel going in and out of the bay at least 22 times per day is definitely not compatible with these policies. The approval of this application will also mean that the zone will see the increase of commer- cial activity with the consequence that the already limited public space will be further reduced for the disadvantage of our residents and those visiting us. Another issue is that this will also create a dangerous precedent for further devel- opment. Therefore, the Council, together with a number of NGOs, will be submitting an appeal on the decision taken by the Planning Authority Board in the coming days, hoping that justice and common sense will prevail. Paul Spiteri Executive Secretary St Julian's local council Air Malta fare conditions on COVID-19 concerns