IL-BIZZILLA TALKS TO TONIO FARRUGIA

Head Of Network And Commercial Partnerships

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT AIR MALTA AND IN WHAT ROLES?

I joined Air Malta 45 years ago and worked in a variety of roles, starting at our Valletta Sales Office way back in 1978. I have worked in Business Planning, Network Planning and airline relations, with current responsibility for our route network, scheduling, alliances and some other areas. In the past I was also responsible for distribution, ground handling at foreign airports, our call centre and customer care, among others.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE?

I like that feeling and challenge of creating something as part of a team that includes several internal departments and external stakeholders and partners, such as airports and other airlines; seeing projects come to fruition and delivering positive results for the long-term benefit of Air Malta, our customers and our country.

AND WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT?

Most challenging are the unexpected external factors that can cause severe disruptions; things like the 2010 ash cloud and more recently, COVID-19, that brought aviation to its knees and compelled us to dismantle most of what we had built over the past several years.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?

Nowadays I look forward most, to my long weekend hikes with family and friends enjoying the Maltese countryside. I also enjoy travel, music, astronomy and photography.

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE EUROPEAN DESTINATION AND WHY?

I have a soft spot for Vienna, having lived there for a few months in my youth and gone back a few times since then. I like its elegance, its history, art, museums and palaces, its music, its schnitzel. I have lasting memories of several rock concerts that I attended there 40+ years ago.

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION YOU HAVE VISITED AND WHY?

My most unforgettable experience is probably a trip to Nashville with my sons, to watch the total solar eclipse that crossed the USA from coast to coast in 2017.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE LANGUAGE?

I cannot say that they are my favourite languages, but I do like Italian and Spanish.

FAVOURITE MOVIE?

The Shawshank Redemption and Enemy of the State are among my favourites.

FAVOURITE GENRE OF MUSIC?

Having grown through all of my teens in the 1970’s, the heyday of Prog Rock, I suppose it was inevitable that this would become one of my favourite genres. I have since then also been into jazz, jazz fusion and classical music.

DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION?

It is not a ‘destination’ per se, but more of an experience that has been on my mind for a long time – I mean to return to northern Spain to hike the Camino de Santiago along the French route.

WHERE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND VISITING WITHIN THE MALTESE ISLANDS?

From the cultural aspect, a day at Valletta is not complete without a visit to the glorious St John’s Co-Cathedral and its Caravaggio masterpiece. Also one of the several mysterious megalithic temples that are unique to the Maltese islands. Hiking Malta’s scenic west coast, with its cliffs and coves and beaches or a noisy and colourful village festa in summer.

PREFERRED MALTESE DISH?

I don’t think I have just one favourite, but several. Nevertheless, if I have to mention one, it must be patata l-forn, which is roast potatoes usually served with roast pork. Its aroma brings back so many fond memories of my mum’s kitchen while preparing Sunday lunch!

FAVOURITE MALTESE EXPRESSION?

“Ejja ħa mmorru” is an expression that I miss from a former colleague who retired recently. Its literal translation is “come on, let’s go”, but it is used widely to mean “hurry up, don’t procrastinate”. Unfortunately we do not always realise how precious time is before we get to a certain age!