During a meeting between the Malta Hotel and Restaurants Association and Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis, the issue of Air Malta took centre stage – with Dr Zammit Lewis appealing for sense to prevail with regard pilots’ demands.

Dr Zammit Lewis said the challenges facing Air Mala have been discussed for a number of months with the MHRA. He maintained that he will not allow anybody to damage the tourism sector during such a busy period and at a time where the government is considering the long term viability of the national air line.

The Minister said that agreements with airline workers will be discussed at the opportune moment. He added that discussions will also take place with the Maltese population, which is why he has asked for the support of the MHRA in order to safeguard the tourism sector at such a sensitive time.

In this regard, MHRA President Tony Zahra said that whoever is pushing for industrial action within Air Malta should come to the negotiating table and use the strength of debate rather than debate through a show of force. He said that if the argument does not hold, it will not be given priority and that common sense and reason should prevail.

Brexit was also discussed during the meeting, where Dr Zammit Lewis praised the conference to discuss the implications of an EU without the United Kingdom, organised by the MHRA. Dr Zammit Lewis spoke of the uncertainty of a Brexit, and maintained that Malta does not have control over what happens next.

Improving the Maltese touristic product, training workers in the touristic sector to keep up with demand and the record number of tourists visiting the island was also discussed in the meeting.