Skopje, February 11 (MIA) - Macedonian Airlines (MAT) is under fierce pressure to change its name in order to resolve problems with Eurocontrol, which has banned company's flights to Germany and Italy due to interest debts, claims MAT leadership.
They say the Greek lobby is responsible for such pressure, adding the company would not give in.
According to MAT, Eurocontrol's decision to ban flights until interests dating from the 2001 military conflict are paid is irrational and inappropriate in conditions of global economic crisis, which first hit the air traffic sector.
Financial damages would reflect on the employees, whose number is to be reduced by at least 40 percent. Costs will also be reduced through fleet redesign, i.e. use of smaller and more economic planes.
MAT leadership stated that the Greek lobby is obviously too strong, thus neither MAT nor Government's efforts for the problem's settlement have resulted in success.
"Although Macedonia is Eurocontrol member-state, this institution has not responded to the Government's letter of December 18, in which it gives support to MAT in settling the problem", comment airline representatives.
Moreover, MAT hopes for Government support and subsidies obtained as tour operators.