13.5 million shares being offered in MIA privatisation drive

The privatisation of Malta International Airport will today move into its second phase when Finance Minister John Dalli announces the sale of 13,530,000 shares in MIA to the public.

A top-level delegation from Vienna International Airport yesterday met Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami at the Auberge de Castille to discuss the latest developments regarding the privatisation of MIA.

Vienna airport is the majority shareholder in a consortium, Malta Mediterranean Link, which bought a 40 per cent stake in Malta International Airport earlier this year.

Dr Fenech Adami said the meeting with the Austrian delegation was an occasion to discuss the future and the strengthening of the MIA.

He said he firmly believed that this joint venture would help to strengthen MIA. He was of the opinion that Malta has not managed to get the full benefit of the location of its international airport in such a strategic position in the Mediterranean: "My view is that this partnership that we managed to develop will prove to be very fruitful."

The director of Vienna International Airport Herbert Kaufmann said there were many challenges in so far as the MIA was concerned.

"Malta is a beautiful country with excellent culture and great people. There is a lot of potential for an increase in tourist traffic at the Maltese airport."

He stressed that Malta's EU membership bid would translate into an increase in business activity in the island which should lead to a rise in business traffic.

He stressed that MIA was a very effective airport "with very committed staff".

The Austrian delegation was headed by Mr Johannes Coreth, chairman of the supervisory board, and Mr Kaufmann.

Other members are Dr Kurt Waniek, director and deputy chairman of MIA plc, and Gerhard Schmid, member of the management board.

Fifteen journalists representing the major daily newspapers in Austria, leading magazines and journals specialising in economic affairs and the travel industry, and Austrian television, are accompanying the delegation.