Air Malta plc Executive Chairman David Curmi on Saturday reaffirmed the airline's commitment not to cancel any flights in its summer programme at a time when airlines, airports and travellers are facing major disruptions.

While airlines are facing several challenges in their operations at a number of European airports due to “acute capacity constraints,” Air Malta is still determined to proceed with its summer schedule, Mr Curmi said. He attributed this “satisfactory performance” in its operations to “the dedication, commitment, and flexibility being shown” by the airline’s employees in Malta and its outstation in Heathrow Airport, London.

“Being a small airline, with our aircraft currently flying close to 12 hours per day, a delay in one airport invariably causes a roll-on effect on our flying programme for the rest of the day,” he said.

“While we have not been cancelling flights, our passengers have been experiencing unacceptable delays and for this we would like to apologise, but in almost all cases such delays are caused by circumstances beyond our control,” Mr Curmi said, before adding that fortunately for the airline, the situation is being “extremely well managed” at its hub of operations at Malta International Airport.

One major airport, Heathrow, informed airlines to stop selling summer tickets in a bid to limit the number of passengers, as it continues to struggle with staff shortages. Hosts of passengers have been left stranded at numerous airports after cancellations or repeated delays.

“A number of European airports have clearly not prepared themselves for the expected rebound in travel after the lifting of global travel restrictions,” he continued.

"It is totally unacceptable that airports require airlines to cut flights at very short notice with little regard for the thousands of passengers who are impacted,” Mr Curmi said.

Additionally, Heathrow has announced that due to capacity challenges, a number of initial schedule adjustment requirements have to be followed by airlines from 15th till 24th July, with further schedule adjustments expected to be communicated in the coming weeks. Such enforced changes require airlines to immediately stop selling seats for flights departing Heathrow during the period, while also cancelling specific flights on specific departure dates.

“As a consequence, and in order to ensure that none of our flights are cancelled, we have adjusted the timings of certain of our flights to operate one hour earlier than previously planned,” Mr Curmi remarked. The remaining flights at the airport are expected to operate “as per the published schedule”.

Air Malta operates 15 weekly services between Malta and Heathrow, “with advance booked loads for the July and August period already above 90 per cent,” he added.

He reaffirmed the airline’s position in avoiding flight cancellations, while also keeping delays and disruptions “to the barest minimum although this is not always within our control”.

“It is time that the authorities and the aviation industry, airports included, are more considerate and kinder towards passengers,” Mr Curmi concluded.