Air Malta denied press reports that it was offering any golden handshakes or voluntary redundancy scheme to the employees of Tigne Development Co. Ltd, the operator of the former Crowne Plaza Hotel, which is being revamped into a new residential complex. In line with the promise-of-sale agreement relating to the sale of the entire equity of Tigne Development Co. Ltd to Imperial Point Co. Ltd, the latter has taken onto itself the obligation of the payment of all salaries and wages of all staff on the books of Tigne Development Co. Ltd with effect from 1 January, up till the date of the final deed of sale.

Imperial Point Co. Ltd, Air Malta added, has also taken onto itself the responsibility of the management of Tigne Development Co. Ltd until the date of the final deed of sale.

Owned by the government until December, the Crowne Plaza had been leased to and run by Air Malta through its subsidiary Tigne Development Co. Ltd.