An Air Malta aircraft operating the London Gatwick - Catania route was delayed by 2 hours 50 minutes at Catania Airport yesterday while it was disinfected after two Sicilian passengers were taken ill, the airline said today.
The two, who were returning from the UK, were examined by the Sicilian medical authorities, and following laboratory tests in Palermo, it was confirmed that they were suffering from the H1N1 Swine Flu virus.
Although the Air Malta crew did not have flu symptoms, the Sicilian Health authorities asked them to stay in Catania until the tests on the passengers were concluded. Air Malta and the Maltese health authorities are now making arrangements for the crew to be brought back to Malta.
"Air Malta's policy is to safeguard at all times the health and safety of its passengers and crews and this event reconfirms its commitment," the airline said.
TIMESOFMALTA 04/07/09
The two, who were returning from the UK, were examined by the Sicilian medical authorities, and following laboratory tests in Palermo, it was confirmed that they were suffering from the H1N1 Swine Flu virus.
Although the Air Malta crew did not have flu symptoms, the Sicilian Health authorities asked them to stay in Catania until the tests on the passengers were concluded. Air Malta and the Maltese health authorities are now making arrangements for the crew to be brought back to Malta.
"Air Malta's policy is to safeguard at all times the health and safety of its passengers and crews and this event reconfirms its commitment," the airline said.
TIMESOFMALTA 04/07/09
