An Air Malta captain who piloted an evacuation flight ferrying Maltese people stranded in Libya said the experience of the crew was nothing compared to that of passengers, who burst into applause on take-off from Tripoli.

Captain Philip Apap Bologna, who offered to operate the flight despite security concerns, said the airline performed its “social duty” by getting as many Maltese nationals out of Libya as possible.

Confusion reigned at the terminal, he said, because security officers were not allowing people inside if they did not have a flight ticket.

Although ordered not to get off the plane, the crew went into the terminal and even outside, looking for Maltese passengers. “We went to get as many Maltese as possible out of Libya and that is what we did.”

The airline captain said he saw people fighting to get onto a plane, showing “their state of despair to get out of Libya”.

The flight and apron operations for the Air Malta aircraft were normal.

As expected, the flight was delayed by more than four hours. When, eventually, the plane started preparing for take-off, he was informed another three passengers had turned up and he decided to return to pick them up once seats were still available. “It was the most obvious thing to do,” he said.

He insisted that, although the crew were anxious, the security of the aircraft was never at risk. Passengers were relieved and burst into applause and cheers on take-off and then again when it landed at Malta International Airport.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech met the crew who operated Tuesday’s evacuation flight and praised them for their “personal sacrifice” and for “going beyond the call of duty”.

Other airlines, Mr Fenech said, had suspended services but Air Malta had kept its operations going.

Capt. Apap Bologna’s crew included First Officer Jeremy Farrugia, Purser Carmel Axiaq and cabin crew Melvin Vassallo, Karen Valletta and Anatole Scerri Diacono.