Almost nine months of talks with Alitalia to buy into Air Malta may have ended in failure but Edward Zammit Lewis says the experience was invaluable.

Interviewed on tomorrow's edition of Times Talk, the Tourism Minister dismissed suggestions the talks were a waste of time, insisting the experience gained is now being used in fresh talks with other interested airlines.

The government wants to find a strategic partner for the national airline and was offering Alitalia a 49 per cent stake.

Dr Zammit Lewis also spoke of the further reforms Air Malta will have to undergo, including a reduction in employees to make it more competitive.

The full interview will be uploaded tomorrow on Times of Malta.

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