MIA to make fresh call for terminal outlet offers

Malta International Airport is to make a fresh call for tenders to allocate space for a skincare and cosmetics shop which was the subject of a sharp controversy some weeks ago.

In a brief statement MIA said yesterday it decided to issue a public call for tenders for the coveted space in its departures area.

"An independent commission will be appointed by MIA to administer and adjudicate the tendering process.

"This commission, that will be expected to submit its recommendations to the board of directors, shall consist of independent persons as well as competent management officials," MIA said.

MIA added that in a spirit of transparency and integrity, in view of the recent controversy, as well as in an effort to clear possible doubts that may have been caused by over-interpretation of the skincare and cosmetics retail outlet contention, it has decided to issue a public call for tenders for the space in its departures area.

The controversy was over the award of a concession at MIA to Franks Travel Retail Limited and the exclusion of the current occupant, a subsidiary of the Salvo Grima Group of Companies.

The Civil Court had ruled that Leaders Limited, the subsidiary, was not entitled to remain in occupation of the shop at the airport's departure lounge once the agreement between Leaders and Malta International Airport had expired.