Up to 4,500 flights cancelled due to COVID-19 understaffing

Dec 25 2021

Up to 4,500 flights have been cancelled over the duration of the Christmas weekend due to the effect of the Omicron variant on holiday travel schedules.

Delta Airlines and United Airlines cancelled over 600 flights on Friday and Saturday, with Delta cancelling 149 flights on Friday and 188 flights on Saturday while United axed 189 flights on Friday and 140 flights on Saturday. Despite cancellations from particular airlines, companies like American Airlines proceeded as normal, stating they have “nothing to report,” with Southwest Airlines highlighting that “things are running smoothly” as they proceeded with their holiday flight schedule.

Cancellations and staff shortages have been commonplace in the American airline industry this year, with airlines encouraging workers to quit in 2020 due to the collapse of air travel, resulting in an evident staff shortage. The rise of the Omicron variant continued to contribute to this issue, contributing to the mass cancellation of flights in 2021.

Have you cancelled any flights in 2021?

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Malta’s skatepark just got a major upgrade thanks to the Malta Skateboard Association

Dec 25 2021

The Msida skatepark has received a major renovation thanks to Infrastructure Malta in collaboration with the Malta Skateboard Association.

The beloved local space was discussed during a recent news conference addressed by Minister for Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg, where he discussed skateboarding and biking in Malta and how they deserve an proper infrastructure with the ideal safety features. Borg stated that when the skatepark was opened in 2008, it saw little to no maintenance since its opening and was an abandoned space.

Borg that the recent maintenance work was well deserved, with the installation of new ramps and steel rails, the planting of trees, new lights and graffiti.

Have you ever visited the Msida Skatepark?

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Runner completes Christmas charity challenge in aid of Malta’s soup kitchen

Dec 25 2021

Runner Stephen Sammut Nurminen is never one to shy away from a challenge, and his latest one contributed to a good cause. Sammut Nurminen’s latest challenge was a 16-hour, 132.8 km run which took place on Friday and took place in collaboration with Fortify meals, where the latter donated a meal to Valletta’s Soup Kitchen OFM for every 10 minutes ran.

The runner had told Times of Malta that the Soup Kitchen receives up to 90 meals per day, costing it a weekly €4,000 to feed homeless people. Sammut Nurminen’s run consisted of four four-hour laps with breaks of up to 30 minutes in between, starting at midnight and stopping at 5.30pm.

He stated that the fact he beat his own 12-hour personal best makes him quite happy, especially knowing that he is helping people in the process.

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President of Malta encourages vaccination in Christmas message to Malta

President of Malta encourage vaccination in Christmas message to Malta

Dec 25 2021

In a Christmas-time message, His Excellency the President of Malta called upon the people to welcome the message of medical experts and take whatever vaccines are available in Malta. In a recent video message, the President praised Malta’s vaccination schedule.

He went on to state “Let us not miss this opportunity to fight this virus, and together build a future where our collective health is still safeguarded in the best way possible,” calling on whoever is alone during this Christmas time, stating that they are in the President’s thoughts.

He concluded by praising the people’s participation in Malta’s vaccination schedule, going on to congratulate whoever participated in Malta’s vaccine schedule and encouraging anyone able to welcome their invite for vaccination. The President concluded by wishing a peaceful Christmas and healthy and prosperous New Year to everyone.

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