Updated - ALPA reacts as most pilots are certified sick by company doctor

Almost all Air Malta pilots who called in sick on Tuesday were certified unfit to fly by a company doctor, but a few were not home when the doctor called, sources have told Times of Malta. Air Malta would not be drawn into saying how many pilots were ill, saying this information was “an internal, human resources matter”. The pilots suffered common ailments such as a cold and diarrhoea. The situation at the airport yesterday returned to normal after Tuesday’s disruption, when 20 pilots reported sick. The situation led to the cancellation of three flights, while several others were delayed.   (Full story in The Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com) ALPA STATEMENT In a statement, ALPA, the pilots' union said Air Malta had once again been caught spreading 'myths and lies' on the pilots. "Initially, Air Malta claimed that “up to 25 pilots” called sick, then it increased this number to '40% of the available pilot complement' ” the union said. Air Malta, it said, had 117 pilots, and therefore the airline was inferring that 46 pilots were on sick. ALPA said its limited records showed that 16 crew members were on sick leave on Tuesday, four of whom were on extended sick...