The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association yesterday expressed concern at reports concerning Air Malta, saying that the four unions representing the employees will be discussing their own separate agreements with the airline, rather than a comprehensive agreement such as that reached in 2004, and which is about to expire.

Air Malta’s importance to the tourism sector was still crucial, despite the fact that today there were a number of low cost carriers operating to the country, the MHRA said. Air Malta’s competitiveness must be safeguarded in the national interest as well as in the interest of both the operators and the employees.

The MHRA said it felt that the unions should go back to a comprehensive agreement and ensure that the restructuring of Air Malta remained on track in the interest of all parties concerned. Any proposals have to address efficiency, cost management and a return on investment to ensure that the airline can continue to survive in an ever changing international scenario.