The General Retailers and Traders Union (GRTU) said today that the changes that Air Malta necessitates must not and will not lead to regression. “To the contrary, if done wisely and skilfully they could not only take Air Malta out of its troubled state but result in growth. GRTU however warns that this will not come automatically and serious homework and groundwork are required.”

Air Malta’s contribution to our economy must be sustained and refined, the GRTU said.

“The Government must ensure that there is no stop-gap so that enterprises can have continuity and for this to be successful, planning must go beyond Air Malta’s restructuring.

GRTU appreciates that for the strategic partnership to be successful, routes that are unsustainable will have to be dropped. This however is only acceptable if the figures are still guaranteed, also by tapping into emerging markets. The Government must be very careful in doing this because certain routes that are unsustainable to Air Malta might be sustaining numerous sectors and enterprises within our economy.

Alternative carriers must be encouraged to take up these routes immediately following Air Malta’s release. Air Malta’s restructuring must take place without the expense of losing on the market share we have earned.

Increase in our incoming tourism figures has always naturally moved in parallel with growth in the private sector. Incoming tourists sustain much more than the sectors that are directly associated with tourism.”