Updated 8.15pm with Transport Malta statement below.
The Nationalist Party has called on the transport minister to explain how two members of a KM Malta Airlines cabin crew were reportedly allowed on a flight to Rome in April despite failing a drugs and alcohol test.
“Following recent incidents which have highlighted safety shortcomings on our roads and seas, raising concerns about a serious lack of enforcement and resources, now, news has emerged adding further concern about enforcement failures in the safety protocols of the national airline,” the PN said in a statement.
Referring to a Newsbook article that an investigation is underway, the PN said the claims are a serious and unacceptable risk to passenger safety and a major blow to the reputation of Malta’s aviation industry.
The PN asked the minister to confirm that an investigation is ongoing into the alleged incident on April 16 and to explain whether procedures were followed before the flight.
It asked why the two crew members were allegedly allowed to operate the flight when standard aviation safety protocols require the immediate removal of any crew member who fails a drug test.
“Was the flight captain informed of the positive test results prior to departure? If not, why not? Were the safety manager and the nominated person for flight operations at KM Malta Airlines informed? And if they were, what action did they take?”
It asked what action was taken against the crew members and against any member of management or staff who allowed crew under the influence of drugs or alcohol to operate the flight and if any action was taken by Transport Malta in light of this report of a serious safety breach.
The PN appealed to the government and the transport authorities not to continue playing with the safety of the people and to ensure that everyone could travel with peace of mind.
The statement was signed by Mark Anthony Sammut, shadow minister for transport, Mario de Marco, shadow minister for tourism, and Ivan Castillo, shadow minister for the maritime sector.
In a reaction, Transport Malta said its Civil Aviation Directorate (CAD) conducted an investigation and found that KM Malta Airlines had not fully adhered to internal company procedures and applicable regulatory requirements in relation to the matter.
As a result, a formal finding was issued by the CAD concerning shortcomings in the airline’s management system.
It said KM Malta Airlines subsequently submitted corrective measures, ‘as per procedures.’
Transport Malta said it was not the directorate’s role to take disciplinary actions against the individual crew members involved as this fell within the remit of the airline’s internal controls and management, which in turn answers to the Ministry of Finance.
“To this effect, Transport Malta confirms that it took all necessary and corrective measures according to international standards and condemns any attempt to tarnish Malta’s excellent reputation in the aviation industry,” the agency said.