Turkish Airlines did not deny or confirm whether it is in talks with Air Malta over a potential take-over, or partial take-over of Malta’s national airline.
Air Malta chose not to answer a direct question made by this newsroom and said that it is always keen to discuss any potential benefits that might arise from better cooperation with major airlines operating to and from Malta.
The Sunday Times reported that sources within Air Malta said that discussions are under way between Turkish Airlines and Air Malta over an alliance that may include privatising part or the entire Air Malta fleet. It also reported that discussions have been held many a time between the two sides.
This newsroom sent questions to Turkish Airlines and asked whether it intends taking over Air Malta’s operations. Turkish Airlines Media relations officer, Serhan Yucel, said: “We require a board decision so that such major actions are taken and we also inform the Stock Exchange to inform our shareholders.
“In this respect, we are not able to confirm such new investment and we don't have a precise decision on such issues.”
When this newsroom asked Turkish Airlines to be more clear and state whether it is a fact that discussions are under way tied a potential take-over of Air Malta, Turkish Airlines said that it has no further comment to make.
Another spokesperson said that the only agreement in place is that Turkish Airlines “carries Maltese passengers as well”.
Air Malta analysing whether airline can run efficiently if it retains current fleet
National carrier chairperson Maria Micallef said that the objective of Air Malta is that the airline meets the targets set in the restructuring programme agreed upon by the Maltese government and the EU Commission, when asked by this newsroom what her stand is on reducing Air Malta’s current fleet size.
With regards to aircraft leasing, the objective of the airline's management, she said, is to have the number of aircraft that is required to service its network in an efficient and sustainable way.
Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis had not confirmed reports mentioned by the Opposition recently in parliament that Air Malta’s fleet, currently operating 10 aircraft with two others leased out, would be further downsized to eight in the summer and seven in the winter.
Ms Micallef further explained that in order to achieve the airline's targets as set out in the restructuring programme agreed with the EU commission, it is imperative to avoid a repetition of the current leasing scenario, where it leased 12 aircraft, when the airline really only needed 10, resulting in Air Malta being forced to lease out two airplanes to a third party as they were of no use to Air Malta.
Therefore, she continued, Air Malta’s management is analysing its network to see whether the airline can fly more efficiently, retaining the same capacity, and will ultimately lease the number of airplanes it needs to meet its demands.