Businessman Ray Fenech is likely to chair Air Malta after the term of the airline’s current board of directors expires in May, The Sunday Times has learnt.

A director at Tumas Group, Mr Fenech confirmed that he had “informal talks” with Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella, who is responsible for the national airline, but insisted there was nothing official.

Asked whether he was interested, Mr Fenech said he was not lobbying for the post.

“Air Malta is a commercial company and any decision I take depends on the Government’s political direction and the composition of the board.”

He will replace outgoing Air Malta chairman Louis Farrugia, who in January said he would be leaving the airline.

Full story in The Sunday Times.