Whilst providing free flights has its benefits, it is important to see that the costs and expenditure of such a measure can be spent on something else which can provide even better results, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri told The Malta Independent.

On Wednesday, Malta Hotels & Restaurants Association (MHRA) President Tony Zahra said that free flights to Malta should be considered, as this is one way to improve the tourism industry in Malta. This newsroom spoke to Schembri, who has the airline Air Malta within his portfolio, to ask whether such a proposal is feasible.

“It is an interesting proposal, and as a country we are always looking at ways to boost our tourism and with such a proposal one needs to see the pros and cons,” explained Schembri.

He said that one needs to look at the budget provided to make the measure possible, and also to look at whether it is possible under European Regulations. “One also need to look at the costs-benefit-analysis, to see whether the allocated funding for this measure can be provided to another measure and provide even better results.”

He said that each proposal that the ministry receives, whether it is from MHRA, Chamber of Commerce or SME’s, the ministry analyses all the proposals for the upcoming budget and sees what proposals provide the best outcomes.