Airmalta said it completely rejects a statement issued by the Maritime and Aviation section of the General Workers’ Union where it was accused of “not having learnt anything and that it was about to repeat the same mistakes it committed two years ago when it issued the early retirement schemes”.

In a counter statement, the airline said that the union was clearly misinformed about the schemes that came into effect on Monday December 1st and the impact these will have on the company. Airmalta said “it seems as though the union seems to be unhappy about the fact that most of those who opted for the schemes have now found new jobs elsewhere.”

The Voluntary Redundancy Schemes are being reintroduced to compensate for the negative trends in the international financial situation. Airmalta said that the schemes are meant to reduce the company’s costs and that it was not ashamed to declare this objective.

The airline said it hoped that GWU does not have any ulterior motives behind its statements and that it co-operates with it to assure a sustainable future.