Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/364850
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 AUGUST 2014 News Pilots' union wants 'blackout' compensation for Air Malta MIRIAM DALLI THE Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) has called on the Malta In- ternational Airport to make good for the losses incurred by Air Malta during Tuesday night's nationwide blackout, after backup power sup- ply at the airport failed to work for almost 30 minutes. Malta International Airport ex- perienced technical difficulties with its generators during Tuesday evening's nationwide power outage, forcing MIA to suspend apron and runway operations for 25 minutes. ALPA has now claimed that opera- tions were suspended for more than 25 minutes. Due to technical difficulties, a system of generators at the airport failed to work properly, forcing incoming f lights to be diverted to Catania and Palermo for approxi- mately an hour and 45 minutes. Tourism Minister Edward Zam- mit Lewis has now demanded a se- ries of technical reports about the incident. "ALPA-Malta acknowledges the huge amounts of losses incurred by airlines, especially Air Malta. We are calling on MIA to cover these losses. Clearly, MIA failed to hon- our their obligations, in that they failed to provide the required level of service to ensure the continuous smooth operation of the airport during the power outage," the un- ion said. ALPA urged MIA to immediately come up to terms with their priori- ties: "Rather than focus on boast- ing about passenger numbers and opening further retail outlets, MIA should invest the necessary amount of money and resources into ensur- ing that the necessary equipment and procedures are in place, so as to avoid a repeat of last Tuesday's fiasco." In a reaction, Malta International Airport said it was conducting an inquiry to understand what caused its power generators to malfunction during the nationwide blackout. The investigation so far has ruled out speculation that the generators were not properly maintained or were out of diesel. "We carried out a simulation of the exact same scenario within 48 hours, without any adjustments to the terminal generators, and the system worked without a hitch," said a spokesman for MIA. MIA reiterated that following the nationwide blackout, it suspended its runway operations for 25 min- utes during which no f light opera- tions would have been disrupted. However, Air Traffic Control kept the runway closed for a further 1 hour and 45 minutes, citing safety precautions. "MIA will work to ensure, within the shortest time possible, that it can guarantee continuity in similar occurrences. Once again we apolo- gise to all our stakeholders and passengers for the inconvenience caused." Malta International Airport said that if any discussions were to take place on redress, these would be held between the airport and the airlines affected. ALPA said the obvious delays had been beyond Air Malta's control. In total, four inbound Air Malta f lights had to be diverted to Ca- tania and Palermo, while the re- turning Catania f light was itself stranded. An outbound f light to Moscow incurred a long delay, and a f light to St Petersburg had to be re- crewed again as the delay made it impossible for the crew to operate within legal f light time limitations, despite the crew granting an allow- able extension to their duty limits. "Diversions and delays are addi- tional and unnecessary financial burdens on airlines. While ALPA- Malta understands that occasional power outages can occur, an inter- national airport should have the appropriate working infrastructure to ensure a continuous service, ir- respective of the power supply from the national generation plants. Tuesday's events are unacceptable," the pilots said. MIA has pledged to avoid a repeat of the power generators problems, but ALPA insists that back-up sys- tems should have ensured that the airport operations remained unaf- fected throughout the entire black- out period. The 'new' hotel taking shape at Mgarr ix-Xini Bay in Gozo. But it will take in guests only for a short time - it will not be there for long, because it is only part of the sett of the Angelina Jolie movie being shot in Gozo, 'By the Sea'. The site is to be restored to its original state after filming is concluded. PHOTO: CHRIS MANGION The 'new' hotel taking shape at Mgarr ix-Xini Bay in Gozo. But it will take in guests only for a short time - it will not be there for long, because it is only part of the sett of the Angelina Jolie movie being shot in Gozo, 'By the Sea'. The site is to be restored to its original state after filming is concluded. PHOTO: CHRIS MANGION Jolie's hotel almost set to take in first 'guests'