Finance Minister Tonio Fenech this evening had what was described as a 'very productive' meeting about Air Malta's restructuring with EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia.

The meeting was part of the ongoing talks on the national airline and the work which is being undertaken by the Maltese government and Air Malta’s Board of Directors to return the airline to a sound financial footing.

"The European Commission is currently examining the Restructuring Plan submitted by the Maltese Government and is expected to launch the formal State aid investigation procedure once its review of the Restructuring Plan is concluded," the Finance Ministry said.

It added that Mr Fenech described the meeting “as a very useful one.” He said that “the airline’s new management is on the right track, although there are many hurdles which still need to be overcome.”