The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called on all stakeholders to abandon past practices and focus on sustainability for Air Malta

in a statement, it referred to the European Commission’s decision to demand that Cyprus Airways refund €65 million in state aid, after it failed to achieve financial viability – as a result of which the Cypriot national airline has now ceased operations.

It said all parties should work to ensure credibility in Air Malta’s restructuring process and the utilization of state aid funds granted by the Commission on a ‘one time, last time’ basis.

It commended decisions taken by the airline’s management to slash operating costs and ensure viability.

"Futile quibbles about insignificant matters along the way must be avoided at all costs because these can cost the economy, the airline and all its employees dearly," it said.

"As the Cypriot experience shows, the European Commission means business and will not have mercy on any state aided company which does not comply with state aid rules," the Chamber said, which pointing out that the airline has a pivotal role in Malta’s economic and social development.