Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533641
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 26 MARCH 2025 NEWS MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt KM Malta Airlines halts winter Catania flights Man caught with €30,000 worth of cocaine during carnival weekend granted bail Man denied bail after allegedly threatening to break wife's bones Competition with low-cost airlines and the ferry service made the route 'commercially unviable' KM Malta Airlines has discon- tinued flights to Catania during the winter season as it has be- come "commercially unviable." Speaking to MaltaToday, a spokesperson for the nation- al airline stated that route is subject to significant competi- tion from low-cost airlines and ferry services. "This competi- tive landscape has led to con- sistently low fares that do not cover the costs of operating the route." The spokesperson explained that demand for the fare is heavily concentrated on week- ends, as passengers depart from Malta on Friday or Sat- urday mornings and return on later in the weekend, While these flights may be well-booked in one direction, the spokesperson said that re- turn flights often see weaker performance. "KM Malta Airlines operates on commercial principles, and as such, we must make difficult but necessary decisions based on economic and financial da- ta." The spokesperson clarified that in 2026, the airline plans to operate the Catania route only in peak seasonal months from July to September when demand is at its highest. News of the route's cancella- tion hit some travellers hard. On Facebook, Sharon Camill- eri, who operates tours to Sici- ly, said she was heartbroken to hear of the news. Camilleri, who says she can operate tours around the world but had fallen in love with Sicily, told her followers that the business she had built for years is being dismantled in front of her eyes due to the decision. Commentators under her post expressed sympathy with the tour operator and voiced their anger at the decision. A 30-year-old man was granted bail after being charged with aggravated possession of cocaine and ketamine with the intent to sell the drugs. Godwin Attard, from Xagħra, Gozo, was ar- rested last month after police officers discov- ered 300g of cocaine in his possession, with an estimated street value of €30,000. The court heard that Attard was stopped by the police while behaving suspiciously as he walked along Triq ix-Xatt in Għajnsielem. Upon being searched, officers found the co- caine wrapped in brown tape inside a pouch fas- tened around his waist. He was taken to the police station and subse- quently charged in court on 28 February where he pled not guilty. Upon searching the man's home, the police found nothing of interest. However, in Attard's car four containers containing traces of cocaine, a set of electronic scales and empty sachets were discovered. In the glove compartment box, the police found a large amount of cocaine wrapped in cling film. Inspector Josef Gauci also informed the court of a separate incident back in June of 2023, when Attard was admitted to Gozo General Hospital after overdosing on cocaine and was in critical condition. When Attard was charged last month, he also faced allegations relating to the 2023 incident, as police accused him of possessing cocaine and ketamine in circumstances indicating it was in- tended for trafficking rather than personal use. The defence's bail request was initially refused due to the police inspector stating that he has no fixed address or employment. However, he later testified before the Criminal Court that he resides with his mother and has both a full-time and part-time job. Therefore, the court granted him bail under strict conditions, against a €2,000 deposit and a €5,000 personal guarantee. He was also ordered to sign the bail book daily, adhere to a curfew, and undergo random weekly drug tests. The case was presided over by Madam Justice Consuelo Scerri Herrera. The prosecution was led by AG lawyer Julian Scicluna. Defence lawyer Franco Debono and Mario Scerri represented Attard. A court has heard how a man accused of threatening and harassing his wife allegedly told her that he would break her bones. The 43-year-old man from Ħaż-Żebbuġ has denied repeat- edly threatening and harassing his wife. The court heard how on 23 March a report from the Do- mestic Violence Unit was filed by the victim showing how the accused sent her violent, threat- ening messages. The messages received by the victim allegedly show the accused telling her that would he destroy her and that he would end up in prison because of it. The accused has three children with the victim. He also alleg- edly told her that if her current partner touched his children, he would break both of their bones. Upon the defence's request for bail, the prosecution objected since the victim is yet to testi- fy. The defence argued that the victim could have easily testified during the arraignment. After the bail request, the fa- ther of the victim testified in court. He said that if his son- in-law is granted bail he would happily invite the accused to live with him at his residence in Qrendi. The victim's father explained that he offered the accused to live with him in hopes of keep- ing the peace between them and in hope of the pair reconciling their differences. He told the court currently, he has a very good relationship with his daughter but also with his son-in-law. When questioned by Magistrate Busuttil if he is aware of the charges brought against his daughter's husband, he re- plied that he is fully informed. Following a request made by the prosecution, a protection order was also granted in favour of the victim and banned the ac- cused from making any kind of contact with his wife. The court informed the accused of the consequences were he to break the conditions of the protection order. The court also ordered a ban on the publication of names. The accused was denied bail by the court, in light of the serious accusations brought against him and on the basis of the fact that the victim still needs to testify. The prosecution was led by In- spector Christian Cauchi. The accused was searched by police officers after acting suspiciously when disembarking the Gozo ferry (Photo: Malta Police) MAYA GALEA mgalea@mediatoday.com.mt MAYA GALEA mgalea@mediatoday.com.mt