Andrew Mizzi appointed head of industrial relations at Air Malta

Trade unionist Andrew Mizzi has been employed as Head of Industrial Relations by national airline Air Malta.

Mizzi replaces former head of human resources Josephine Abdilla, who left the company in 25 June.

Mizzi, who in the past served as secretary of the General Workers Union’s technology, electronics and communications section, previously held the post of head of human resources at the Lotteries and Gaming Authority.

“Mizzi has been employed as Head of Industrial Relations and will report to the Chief Officer Corporate Services,” a spokesperson for Air Malta confirmed with MaltaToday.

According to the spokesperson, Mizzi was chosen following a selection process.

“A number of persons were interviewed by a selection board, made up of company management and board directors,” the spokesperson added.

Air Malta was however not in a position to reveal how much Mizzi was being paid. In reply to questions sent by MaltaToday, the spokesperson said that it was not in Air Malta’s practice to publicise the remuneration of management.

Sources said that Mizzi’s first official day at work was on Monday.

Only last week, Air Malta confirmed Philip Micallef as its new chief executive officer.

The continuous structural changes at Air Malta come amid rumours that the airline is set for a €30 million in losses, forecasted for March 2015, the year in which the airline should be gearing up for breakeven.

Both Air Malta and the Minister for Tourism have refused to confirm or deny the reports, with Edward Zammit Lewis dubbing the forecast as “a mere projection”. Reports of the substantial losses however succeed the resignation of Air Malta’s CEO, Louis Giordimaina, just eight months after taking the post at the helm of the national airline and the earlier resignation of Chief Financial Officer Clare Brown.

On his part, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna steered clear of discussing Air Malta’s financial situation but warned that Air Malta “must get it right”.

The European Commission has allowed national airline Air Malta to receive a €52 million cash injection in state aid.

Calling Air Malta’s restructuring process “an experiment”, the finance minister said Air Malta was allowed a one-time injection that will not happen again.
“It is very crucial that we get it right now because it [Air Malta] will not be allowed another chance [for state aid].”