As the operation to release more than 500 employees who opted for voluntary redundancy schemes continues, Air Malta will be employing “at least” 21 people to fill vacancies in the new structure.

In a statement yesterday, airline chief executive Peter Davies said the restructuring was happening in a seamless manner.

Mr Davies said more than 500 employees had applied for the voluntary and early retirement schemes and these were being released through a staggered and coordinated plan.

The process started in December and is expected to continue until the end of the year. To date, 240 employees have already been released by the airline.

Mr Davies said 444 applicants, an absolute majority, would be released by the end of June.

The plan to release employees was moving in parallel with other organisational projects, including external recruitment and the internal selection process to fill vacancies in the new structure, he added.

“Over 1,000 applications were received from employees for the 161 new positions in the new organisational structure. After a thorough selection process, this project, which also included the opportunity to appeal decisions, has been finalised.

“Certain skill sets were found not to be present within the airline and at least 21 positions will be offered to external candidates through the Employment and Training Corporation and adverts in the media.”

Mr Davies said the “massive restructuring projects” at Air Malta were moving ahead through a seamless transition without disrupting the airline’s operations.

Although staff reduction was only one aspect of the restructuring process, he added, it was one of the most fundamental. Shifts and rosters are also being changed and the airline is working on a cultural transformation.

The airline is waiting for the European Commission’s approval of its restructuring plan so that the government would be able to pump millions of euros in new share capital.

Air Malta was saved from bankruptcy in 2010 when the government injected €52 million in emergency aid. EU rules do not allow state aid unless rigorous conditions are met.

The airline has to restructure its operations to be eligible for this one-off money injection by government. The Commission’s verdict is expected by May or June.