Parties need to keep a realistic view of matters

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry calls on all parties involved, to act with utmost responsibility, in order to avoid any negative repercussions on the successful privatisation process of Air Malta and more importantly on the economy in general.

Threats of industrial action, during the single most important period for the airline, certainly does no justice to anyone’s cause and is seen as most irresponsible.

Risking to ground the airline, at this sensitive time, would not only paralyse the country’s connectivity at the height of the tourism season putting hundreds of jobs linked to the tourism sector at risk, but would also endanger the health of the economy at large.

The Chamber has always underlined the strategic importance of Air Malta to all of the country’s economy. The intimate relation between the tourism industry and Air Malta is abundantly clear and every effort must be done in order to safeguard Malta’s largest industry, right in the middle of its peak season. However, Air Malta is also crucial for a number of other sectors such as manufacturing, amongst others, which are completely reliant on timely and reliable supply of components and raw materials for their competitive operation. The national airline plays a pivotal role in this equation.

All parties involved need to put the national interest and the long-term interest of the airline as their one and only priority.

Parties need to keep a realistic view of matters at hand, and look at the broader picture, in order to avoid unnecessary collateral damage to innocent parties and preserve the long standing reputation of the airline and its key role in the country’s economy.