The government should explain why it failed to provide the European Commission with relevant information about Air Malta, Labour spokesman Gavin Gulia said yesterday.

He was reacting to the news that Brussels had not yet concluded its investigation on the airline because it was still waiting for official details.

Dr Gulia said the declaration by European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia contradicted Finance Minister Tonio Fenech’s statement in March that the rescue plan was expected to be approved by Brussels “in a few weeks’ time”.

“While the Labour Party hopes the process ends with a positive reply from the Commission, it is concerned about Commissioner Almunia’s remark that the plan did not adhere to state aid rules,” he said.

He called on Mr Fenech to explain.

This week, Mr Almunia told Labour MEP Edward Scicluna the national authorities were not providing the Commission with the required information, despite the talks nearing conclusion.