The Airline Pilots Association Malta (ALPA) has strongly rejected criticism from the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), after the lobby group claimed that ongoing industrial action by pilots and cabin crew was causing serious disruption and damaging Malta’s tourism industry.

In a statement on Wednesday, ALPA said MHRA’s comments, reported in Times of Malta earlier this week, were “baseless” and urged the association to verify its facts before making public pronouncements. The pilots’ union argued that it has consistently acted responsibly, engaging in dialogue with KM Malta Airlines management and, on multiple occasions, offering to suspend directives in order to facilitate talks.

ALPA added that it had even stepped in to assist the airline with crewing on an August flight to Lyon, despite the disruption arising from what it described as poor planning and inadequate standby staffing by the company. The union said the real obstacle to progress was management’s repeated refusal to resume discussions.

The dispute, which has been escalating since July, centres on pilots’ career progression. ALPA has pressed for a clear pathway for first officers to advance to captain after the retirement of senior crew left the airline struggling to fill command positions. The union has opposed the company’s approach of accelerating external recruits into captaincy, arguing this risks sidelining existing pilots and trapping them in long-term career limbo.

Talks between the union and KM Malta Airlines collapsed abruptly earlier this summer, leading to the introduction of work-to-rule directives. These measures have slowed operations and coincided with the height of the tourism season, triggering concern from industry stakeholders.

MHRA has warned that disruption at the national carrier threatens Malta’s reputation as a reliable destination and risks undermining the tens of thousands of jobs sustained by tourism. The association argued that the Maltese public has already shouldered hundreds of millions of euros in costs to close down Air Malta and launch KM Malta Airlines, including €74 million in early retirement payouts to 96 pilots, and said the airline could not afford further instability.

ALPA, however, insists that its actions are aimed at securing sustainable working conditions and safeguarding the long-term future of the airline. It has also expressed solidarity with the Union of Cabin Crew, which has raised its own concerns over employment conditions.

The confrontation is unfolding against a backdrop of heightened political tension. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, who has spearheaded the airline’s transition, has doubled down on his position and made clear he will not negotiate further with the pilots. His remarks followed earlier criticism that branded the profession as “greedy” in light of the lucrative retirement scheme.

With management, government and unions now firmly entrenched, the dispute shows little sign of easing. ALPA continues to call for a return to dialogue, while MHRA has urged all parties to act responsibly in the national interest.