Low cost carriers who also service routes to Malta are complaining to the European Commission after it gave state aid to beleaguered flag carrier Air Malta.
The European Low Fares Airline Association, which represents Blue Air, Easyjet, Flybe, Jet2.com, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, Sverige Flyg, Transavia.com, Vueling and Wizz Air, said the subsidies could hamper the development of fair competition to enable the growth and development of low fares allowing more people to travel by air.
John Hanlon, secretary general of ELFAA, said it was imperative the strict rules on prohibiting state aid to ailing airlines were adhered to “so as not to distort competition, to the detriment of consumers”.
The EC approved an emergency €52 million loan to keep Air Malta’s aircraft flying over the next six months until it can put a restructuring programme in place, with the door open for more aid once the programme the Commission agrees the restructuring programme.
Tonio Fenech, Malta’s finance minister said he was “not surprised by their objection” and that “every company in the EU market will seek to protect its interests”.