Taking to social media on Wednesday evening, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri – who is politically responsible for the national carrier – announced that agreement had been reached between Air Malta and the Union of Cabin Crew.

“It is with pleasure that I welcome a vote in favour of work conditions by the Union of Cabin Crew which will help the company exit this storm and become more sustainable.

“Negotiations between the Union of Cabin Crew and Air Malta were lengthy and difficult, and resulted in the employees giving up some [conditions] however all workers will keep their job.

“The outcome of their sacrifice will see the company operate in a more competitive way. For this I thank them, as we are able to save the national airline by virtue of their decision”.

He said on Facebook the cabin crew’s vote will help the airline get out of the current crisis and become more sustainable.

The Union of Cabin Crew, the Union of Airline Pilots (ALPA) and the Engineer Union had all challenged an Air Malta request to pay out a flat wage of €1,200 monthly in the light of revenues falling to zero due to COVID-19.

The engineers union was the first to accept, while negotiations continued with the cabin crew union and ALPA. Air Malta then delivered a shock statement to say that it would be able to retain just 44 cabin crew out of 333 and just 26 pilots out of 134.

The shock announcement led to negotiations re-starting, with as of last night the Cabin Crew reaching an agreement.

In Minister Schembri’s announcement, he said that the next step is to reach agreement with ALPA.

At 12.30pm, the Government announced that a new collective agreement between Air Malta and the Union of Cabin Crew will be signed.