ACI Europe urged the European Commission to investigate Malta after the latter “violated” EU travel rules.

As reported by PoliticoPro, ACI Europe, the European industry trade association, addressed the letter to the EC’s health, transport as well as digital departments, reports SchengenVisaInfo.com.

ACI Director General Oliver Jankovec stressed that airports are “very grateful” if the EU Commission investigates the matter “Urgently contact the Maltese authorities and ask them to abide by EU rules.”

According to Jankovec, the EU COVID digital certification was “instrumental in enabling the restoration of free movement for EU citizens during the pandemic, with its uniform standards and rules providing a much-needed common confidence framework.”

The report published by PoliticoPro stressed that the Maltese government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Recently, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that the authorities in Malta have decided to change the validity of such travel certificates for only three months.

The new changes have been confirmed by Malta’s official travel website, VisitMalta. He also confirmed that from 17 January, Malta would shorten the validity of vaccination certificates.

The Maltese authorities have decided to change the validity of vaccination certificates for only three months; therefore, citizens of Malta who received the last dose of the vaccine in the previous quarter will be required to take a booster shot in order for their certificates to remain valid.

The authorities in Malta have also clarified that residents of Malta who return to this country after 17 January without a valid vaccination document will be granted a grace period of two weeks, but from 1 In February, such persons will be encouraged to follow a mandatory two-week quarantine requirement.

Malta International Airport has recently opposed such a decision, as according to airport authorities, the current rules are confusing among travelers.

“As Malta is the only Member State to have shortened the period of validity of vaccination certificates against COVID-19, the Superintendent of Public Health has imposed an unnecessary obstacle for Maltese residents to travel, together it has not undermined consumer confidence in the tourism industry during this time. a very challenging winter period, ” stressed the statement published by the airport.

Previously, the authorities in Malta were encouraged to clarify their updated travel policy for its citizens holding vaccine certificates as the European Commission addressed the modifications, which do not align with EU rules.

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