President Emeritus George Abela is to lead talks on retirement schemes involving Air Malta staff, the Tourism Ministry said today.

In a statement, the ministry said that Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis held a meeting with the Union of Cabin Crew in which he announced that the committee will include the representation of the ministry, the Finance Ministry and the Air Malta management under the presidency of Dr Abela.

The aim is to discuss the way forward on retirement schemes to be offered to Air Malta staff at all levels as well as to hold negotiations on a new collective agreement. The aim is for a conclusion to be reached by June.