Tributes to Albert Mizzi, champion of industry who founded Air Malta

Businessman Albert Mizzi passed away, at the age of 87.

The industry heavyweight was one of Malta's foremost entrepreneurs, a chairman of HSBC Malta and the Midi Group, the developers of the Tigné Point and Manoel Island project.

Under the Mintoff government, Mizzi was brought in to serve as the founding chairman of the national airline Air Malta, forging an alliance with Pakistan's national airline to ensure Air Malta's success. Under his chairmanship between 1974 and 1988 the airline grew from two aircraft to eight aircraft, and operating three hotels and a number of other subsidiaries, including Air Supplies, handling the airport's duty-free section.

Tribute to Albert Mizzi,our first Chairperson who passed away today.Proud KM moment with Pope John Paul II,1990. pic.twitter.com/uBJluE9l0R

— Air Malta (@AirMalta) September 10, 2015

Albert Mizzi celebrates Air Malta's first anniversary with Sir Anthony Mamo, President of Malta, by his side

"I was summoned to Mintoff's office... he told me they needed my help, to set up some commercial companies," Mizzi had said of his relationship with Dom Mintoff, who appointed him to head several state-owned companies.

Mizzi served under various administrations, lending his business acumen to lead various state-owned corporations.

As head of the Alf. Mizzi & Sons Group, Mizzi's business interests straddled the spectrum of Malta's economic development, building the Mellieha Bay Hotel at Ghadira Beach and developing one of Malta's first villa areas, the Santa Marija Estate.

HSBC Malta, of which Mizzi was its first chairman, holding the post for 14 years until stepping down in May 2013, will fly its flags at half-mast on Friday and Saturday.

“Albert was a man of great character and resolve. It was indeed a pleasure working with him. He was dedicated and gave loyal service as chairman of this Bank,” said HSBC Malta CEO Mark Watkinson.

Current bank chairman Sonny Portelli said: “Albert’s outstanding stewardship has been instrumental in building the business we have today in Malta. I know that both myself as well as past and present directors and CEOs relied on his wise counsel and support over the years.”

Albert Mizzi was a visionary who changed Malta's economic landscape. We honour his memory and offer our condolences to all his loved ones.

— Simon Busuttil (@SimonBusuttil) September 10, 2015

Tributes from parties

In a statement, the Nationalist Party described Mizzi as a visionary who contributed in no small manner to Malta's economic development. "His work, both at the helm of Alf Mizzi and Sons, and at helm of numerous public corporations, was characterised by correctness and steadfastness. Albert Mizzi believed that the best option is hardly ever the easiest option and he was never afraid to do what is necessary and to stand his ground."

The PN said Mizzi was instrumental in helping Malta's economic development in the post-independence era, and that more recently, he played an important role in the liberalisation of the commercial and financial sectors. "On this sad day of his demise, the Nationalist Party would like to honour his memory and offer sincere condolences to his family."

The Labour Party also saluted Mizzi's memory and his role in starting Air Malta. "He was a pillar of the Maltese economy," the party said.

The Maltese government said Mizzi would be remembered as a businessman whose vast experience in tourism and banking, property and retail, had benefited thousands of workers. "He gave his time, energy and priceless service under various administrations. His contribution will be remembered for generations to come."

Other tributes

Maurice Mizzi, a director of the Mizzi Organisation, said he had been a business partner and friend of Albert Mizzi for over 40 years. “He was like a father to me, and he always led with such sincerity, honesty and conscientiousness,” Mizzi said.

“He will be greatly missed and this news has been a shock to us all,” Mizzi said, adding that although it was not the first time he had been taken to hospital for some reason or another, but that recovery was very often, quick. “He would be back in his management role in the blink of an eye, and we still can’t believe that we won’t see him again,” Mizzi added.

Reginald Fava, the chairman of the Chemimart Group and former president of the Chamber of Commerce's healthcare section expressed shock at the news, saying Mizzi had left an undeniable mark in the history of Maltese business. "He has left a mark, not just as a businessman, entrepreneur and industrials, but even as a good friend. He was respected by everyone who knew him," he said.

Fava also explained that he had known Mizzi fever since he was young and that they had both attended St. Aloysius College together. "We have been working together for many years now and I can say we a saw Malta go through both prosperous and extremely difficult times," Fava said.

The President and Council of the Chamber of Commerce said Mizzi was a stalwart whose contribution to Malta’s economic development was most instrumental to the country. "He will be remembered as one of Malta’s foremost entrepreneurs and a gentleman. As a member of the Malta Chamber, Mr Mizzi was most active, occupying numerous prestigious roles namely Council Member, Chairman of the Importers Trade Section, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer."

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association said Mizzi was a visionary who helped turn Malta from a military base into a developed free market economy. "He will be remembered as being a perfect gentleman, a person with passion for life, and a great interest for all those that worked with or for him,” MHRA president Tony Zahra said.

The Malta Developers Association said Mizzi will be remembered for his valuable contribution to the Maltese economy not only in state companies but also in the private sector.

"The range of businesses Mizzi headed throughout the years included a number of development projects, so much so that he was a founder member of the MDA."

Albert Mizzi was born in Valletta on 20 October, 1927, and reeceived his education at St Aloysius College.

In 1946 he joined the family business of Alf. Mizzi & Sons. The list of companies in which he was a shareholder, director or chaiman at any one time were too many to list: he had interests in real estate, hotels and tourism, import and distribution, manufacturing and export, and retailing.

Mizzi excelled in bringing to life state-owned companies and private subsidiaries set up during the Mintoff governments of the 1970s, such as Air Malta, Sea Malta, Mediterranean Oilfield Services, Mediterranean Insurance Brokers, and Middle Sea Insurance Company Ltd.

In 1992, he chaired the Malta Council for Economic Development and the Malta Shipbuilding Company, and set up Malta Gantry Manufacturing and Malta Win Cargo Containers.

He was also a former member of the Chamber of Commerce since 1955, and was a founder member of the Malta Trade Fair Corporation between 1959 and 1965.

Mizzi was married to Elda Radmilli, and had a son, Alec.