The Labour Party spokesman for tourism, Evarist Bartolo, has called on the government to publish the terms of reference of the board appointed to evaluate the proposals by low-cost airlines.

Easyjet has submitted proposals to operate flights from/to Luton and Mulhouse-Basle while Ryanair wants to fly from/to Luton, Dublin and Pisa.

The support schemes offered by the government are being provided by taxpayers and it was therefore essential to make the best choice for the country, Mr Bartolo said, calling for information on the members sitting on the selection board.

The best choice for the country would be to negotiate with both airlines and avoid any possible "blackmail" in future, he added.

In the meantime, as part of its efforts to attract low-cost carriers to Malta, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association has invited Ryanair's deputy chief executive Michael Cawley to make a presentation to the business community which included the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Industry, the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, banks, airline and travel representatives.

Ryanair said this week it is willing to offer a daily service to Malta from Luton and a three times weekly service from Pisa within nine weeks, as well as a three times weekly service from Dublin by February.

Mr Cawley said he was "cautiously optimistic" that the proposals made in its tender to the government would be accepted immediately.