Developments relating to Air Malta and its strategic partnership with Alitalia/Etihad were this morning welcomed by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.

It was announced yesterday that Alitalia had agreed in principle to take a 49 per cent stake in Air Malta.

In a statement, the chamber said it had always underlined the strategic importance of Air Malta to the Maltese economy, not least the tourism sector.

Other sectors such as manufacturing were completely reliant on the timely and reliable supply of components and raw materials for their competitive operation.

The national airline therefore played a pivotal role in this equation.

The chamber acknowledged the efforts and results of the difficult restructuring process to bring the airline’s finances back in the black.

“However, we must understand that challenges of competitiveness remain real, and these require further improvements to achieve complete viability.”

It called on all parties involved to put the national and the long-term interest of the airline as a foremost priority of all considerations in this sensitive matter of utmost long-term economic importance.

It said it was keen to offer assistance in the relocation process of workers if this was required.

“The chamber is confident that the current strong economic climate, coupled with the skills of the workers involved, will contribute towards a swift absorption in the labour market to the benefit of workers and private employers alike.”