Three bidders shortlisted for Air Supplies purchase

Three consortia have been shortlisted by Air Malta following a call for tenders for the sale of Air Supplies and Catering Co. Ltd, which sells spirits, tobacco and perfume at Malta International Airport.

The call for tenders closed on Friday and bids were processed immediately, a company spokesman said.

The conclusions have been sent to the Privatisation Unit for verification that the correct tender procedure has been followed and will hopefully be referred back to the board in time for its scheduled August 25 meeting.

The spokesman said that two of the consortia were made up of local companies with a foreign partner while the third comprised only local companies.

"There should not be a long transition period until the new operator takes over," the spokesman added.

Air Supplies has an airport concession expiring in 2014 for 407 square metres of airside retail space at Malta International Airport, roughly 40 per cent of the total retail space available in the departure lounge.

The company's activities are focused on tobacco, spirits and perfume.

It also operates the sole retail outlet in the airside arrivals area.

The sale of Air Supplies is in line with Air Malta's strategy to focus solely on core operations.

The airline recently sold its wholly owned subsidiary company Sterling Travel and Tourism to Alpine Holdings Ltd.

It also plans to sell its hotel interests.