It’s amazing that Tonio Fenech does not recognise that some of the operational practices and unprofitable routes also contributed to Air Malta’s problems. The airline management is answerable in the first place for the problems that the airline is in, because it was their decisions, or lack of decision taking, that contributed to a poor balance sheet.

If one’s right hand is gangrenous, it may be better to cut it off and save the arm, unsavoury as it may be. Air Malta’s management does not seem to understand some of the basic business principles, and the government (regardless of party) will never learn that in business, politics always come second.

■ Tony Buhagiar

Ascot, UK