KM Malta pilots lift industrial directives after months-long dispute

The Airline Pilots’ Association (ALPA) has unanimously voted to withdraw the directives it had issued to KM Malta Airlines pilots, signalling a potential turning point in a dispute that has strained relations between the airline and its flight crew for several months.

In a statement released on Friday (today), the union said its members took the decision during an Extraordinary General Meeting, following a unanimous vote. The directives, which included work-to-rule orders, have now been lifted as part of what ALPA described as a commitment to “constructive dialogue” with the airline’s management.

“ALPA Malta believes that this step provides KM Malta Airlines and the government with the necessary space to demonstrate their good faith and willingness to resolve these matters in a fair and timely manner,” the union said, while stressing that “tangible progress must now follow.”

The dispute between the union and KM Malta Airlines dates back to the summer, when ALPA accused the airline of ignoring pilots’ basic requests, including the publication of the airline’s accounts and the seniority list. In July, pilots unanimously approved plans to take industrial action, citing what the union described as “contractual inconsistencies” and “conditions threatening pilots’ livelihoods.”

The Government, meanwhile, accused the union of acting out of greed, claiming it sought to secure multi-million-euro payouts for retiring pilots beyond an agreed deadline.

Tensions escalated further this week when ALPA filed court proceedings, alleging that KM Malta was recruiting non-union captains without sufficient flying experience to qualify for the role.

In its latest statement, the union reiterated that its efforts have always been aimed at addressing issues related to “contractual inconsistencies, recruitment practices undermining career progression and flight safety, and the company’s continued failure to engage in genuine collective bargaining, as required under EU law.”