Air Malta helped Malta save €5.5m in transport costs for medical goods during COVID-19 pandemic

Air Malta was instrumental in saving up to €5.5 million in cargo costs, as it assisted the Government of Malta for delivery of some 800 tonnes of medical supplies to Mater Dei Hospital frontline workers at the height of the Covid-19 emergency.

Air Malta was in fact crucial in engaging its commercial partners in securing substantial cost-saving on the delivery of this exceptional cargo.

Following Mater Dei Hospital Logistics Department’s request for assistance, Air Malta Chief Executive Clifford Chetcuti intervened to find a better solution to a proposal submitted by a Hong Kong based logistics operator.

As the national airline attempted to respond to the request made by Government, it transpired that carrying some 800,000kgs of cargo would be logistically impossible, given that Air Malta would have had to operate some 100 flights to and from China.

Another daunting challenge would have seen Air Malta crews be segregated into quarantine both in China and upon return to Malta.

Analysing government’s request regarding this exceptional load, it only made sense that a specific dedicated ‘freighter aircraft’ be chartered to transport the supplies. Air Malta does not have this capacity.

Air Malta CEO Clifford Chetcuti, assisted by staff at the Airline’s Cargo Section, engaged with various international logistics operators.

It was through Air Malta’s excellent commercial relations with Qatar Airways, that a viable and far less costly solution was found to transport such an exceptional load to Malta.

After negotiating, it was agreed that the cargo would be brought to Malta using eight special flights operated by Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Freighter.