Voters struggle to book election flights amid 'extremely high demand'

Voters abroad are struggling to get through to a special hotline to book flights to Malta for the general election as KM Malta Airlines says it is experiencing "extremely high demand." 

The call centre line (+356 2141 8118) opened at 8am on Monday but several voters contacted Times of Malta to say they have been unable to get through on the number.

"I've made 26 attempts and counting," said one frustrated voter, who was attempting to book a flight from Zurich and questioned whether the number was working.

Another, dialling in from Paris, was also unable to get through. 

"I've tried calling around 15 times since around 9am, but it never even rings, it just cuts," he said.

"This is what I expected to be honest, as the exact same thing was happening for the MEP elections. That time it had taken me three days of trying to call until I finally managed to book a flight. Since this is for a general election I'm expecting it to be even worse," he said. 

But a spokesperson for KM Malta Airlines told Times of Malta the call centre opened as scheduled and "is fully operational". 

"Since opening, the team has already handled and processed a significant number of bookings," the national airline said.

"Due to extremely high demand, the line is experiencing a large volume of calls. We would therefore advise customers to keep trying if they are unable to connect immediately, as the line is active, and agents are assisting callers continuously."

Last week, KM Malta Airlines announced the special €90 return flights for Maltese voters abroad, limited to those listed on the electoral register, to allow them to be in the country to vote in the May 30 general election. 

Bookings opened on Monday and the call centre will be open from 8am to 8pm but bookings are subject to availability. 

The special election fare includes all taxes and charges, in Economy Plus which includes a small bag, 10kg cabin bag and 20kg checked bag. Infants who have not reached their second birthday may travel for a fee of €9, taxes and charges included, provided they do not have their own seat.

Travel will be permitted from May 20 to June 3, with the first inbound date into Malta being May 20 and the last possible inbound being May 30, the day of the election. Passengers can depart Malta any time from May 23 to June 3.

Travel will be permitted only on scheduled KM Malta Airlines-operated flights only and all travel must take place into and out of the same city.

Some Maltese voters living abroad have long called for voting through embassies or consular offices or even by post.

Last year, the Nationalist Party said it agreed with the idea of voting to be held in embassies, however, it said this could only happen after a reform of how the Electoral Commission is appointed to ensure it is “truly independent and autonomous from the government of the day”.