The Tourism Ministry has denied statements that appeared in The Sunday Times of Malta, which read that there are no other 'real' strategic partners lined up to start new negotiations with for Air Malta.

The ministry said; "the newspaper chose to publish an untruthful story that creates uncertainty and confusion among the workers."

"As Minister Zammit Lewis has already said during his Parliamentary ministerial statement last Monday, government confirms that there are a number of strategic partners who showed interest in Air Malta, and that government is in talks with them. Government will continue moving forward cautiously, agreeing where it makes sense, and this includes considering local investment."

The statement read that government will continue speaking with workers so that together they can continue "drawing up the road forward on principles that make sense for government, Air Malta, and the workers' representatives."