On Air Malta privatisation, minister avoids direct reply

Tourism minister’s reply suggests government has not ruled out privatising Air Malta if restructuring process doesn’t reach its goals.

7 October 2013, 12:00am
by Staff Reporter

1 min read

Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella failed to give a direct and clear reply when asked to confirm that government did not have any plans to privatise Air Malta, even through the selling a minority stake.

The question was raised in parliament by Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo.

Arrigo's question was direct, seeking a 'yes' or 'no' answer as to whether the government "didn't have the intention to privatise Air Malta, today or in the near future".

Minister Vella's reply was however generic, referring to the restructuring process currently ongoing at Air Malta.

"The government is waiting to see that the individuals appointed by the previous administration achieve the results they were appointed to reach. This board is being left to operate without any interference. Strategic decisions will be taken once the true state of the airline would be known," Vella said.

He added that this would also include the results which the restructuring process should have reached.

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As well he should. Why should any business/administration commit itself before the full commercial picture is clear? No profitable positions should be discarded just for the sake of fundamentalism. Even though I disagree that KM should be privatized; as that would be committing the same mistake as the PN did with MIA. KM should be held within the public sector BUT run, as far as possible, on private sector lines. If there is anyone who seems inclined to carry this out, then that would be the new administration.

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INTERFERENCE? WHY DON'T YOU ASK THOSE NEW COMERS IN THE AIRMALTA BEFORE THE ELECTION REPLACING THOSE WHO TOOK THE EARLY RETIRING SCHEME. DO THEY HAVE BLUE OR RED EYES. IN CASE OF ANY DOUBT, ASK THE PREVIOUS HR ADMINISTRATION.