Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1513303
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 DECEMBER 2023 COMMENT The Skinny Malta, shrunk down EDITORIAL Let's make it a fair and just transition PAGE 2 JOSANNE CASSAR Leaving our gadgets behind PAGE 8 A court system's missteps, even minor ones, have significant consequences for the individuals involved and the public's perception of the judicial system MARK SAID | PAGE 4 What are we skinning? The new national airline - KM Malta, aka Air Malta 2.0 - announcing that it will no longer allow passengers to board with an extra piece of hand luggage over-and-above the 'small bag', for 'free'. Why are we skinning it? Because such a decision cuts to the quick of what makes the Maltese tick: re- sistance to most forms of change, especially those which require them to cough up more cash than they're accustomed to. But the whole issue with Air Malta was that it wasn't profitable in the least. Yes, so some changes are to be expected. We can't have a State-subsidised airline bleeding money for anoth- er quarter of a century or so, can we? Of course not, but did we re- ally need to sacrifice the small on- board bag at that particular altar? What would you rather sacrifice? Actually, I'd rather not be talking about sacrifice when dealing with a process which requires the deli- cate transportation of human be- ings across the skies, where both comfort AND safety is paramount. I still don't think we should pay through the nose for every little commodity if we want to go on holiday. Particularly given that we live on a tiny island. If anything, the government should provide us with a regular quota of free trips away from its confines for the sake of our well- being. That's a great idea. It would certainly save them a lot of hassle further down the line. Yes. Travel-happy citizens are less likely to protest, for example. Or complain about airline bag- gage fees. Who ARE these people who go on holiday packing just a messenger bag or something? People who hate clothes. Do say: "While it's a truth univer- sally acknowledged that the Air Malta business model needed a drastic overhaul, introducing yourself to the population by forc- ing austerity upon them does not augur good vibes. Don't say: "If I'm to travel as light as the new airline wants me to, I would expect them to provide me with a pre-paid servant to fol- low me around and dress me all throughout the duration of my holiday." No. 222 - New Horizons With No Baggage MICHAEL FALZON Did the world cop it? PAGE 9 SAVIOUR BALZAN Angry notes PAGE 5