Air Malta is directing questions relating to the talks in China and with Turkish Airlines to the Ministry for Tourism.
A number of questions that were sent to the national airline related to the meeting held in China, where Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis had led a delegation to China to discuss collaboration concerning the national airline.
The questions sent to Air Malta regarding the meeting in China saw the following answer - “This was a shareholder led delegation and any questions on this visit should be directed to the ministry”.
Air Malta was also asked about talks with Turkish Airlines, to which the reply was received– “questions on this matter are to be directed to the shareholder”.
A set of similar questions was also sent to the ministry. The following reply was received - “The government's priority is to ensure that Air Malta exits the restructuring plan as a commercially viable airline and continues to play a strategic role in the country’s successful tourism industry. In this context, government as shareholder of Air Malta, is engaging in a number of discussions with different airlines to discuss future collaborations and explore potential synergies”.
No information was given relating to details of talks held in China, or those with Turkish Airlines.
Last week, Dr Zammit Lewis did say that discussions were not only being held with China, but also with airlines around the world. He had spoken of the importance of keeping control over Air Malta. He told members of the media that he would not go into detail of discussions as these are of a commercially sensitive nature.
The minister is looking for a strategic partner that would give more relevance to the national airline, and help the airline move forward.
This newsroom also contacted Turkish Airlines. SVP of Media Relations at Turkish Airlines Ali Genc who said that “any major issue concerning Turkish Airlines such as sponsorship and joint ventures issues require board decision of our company, to be informed to the Stock Exchange for advising our shareholders. In this respect, we are not able to comment on such rumors, since we don’t have such a relevant board decision”.