The government yesterday appointed Maria Micallef as Air Malta’s chairwoman following the resignation of Ray Fenech.

Mr Fenech resigned for personal reasons, the government said in a statement last night while announcing his immediate replacement.

Ms Micallef has been serving as a director on a number of boards, including that of Air Malta. She is the first woman appointed to chair the national airline.

She has occupied various senior positions within the Mizzi Organisation over the past 15 years.

Throughout this period, she has been General Manager of General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd.

She was also the first woman appointed as member of the European Technical Council of The Coca-Cola Company, travelling widely across several countries to advise cross functional teams.

Ms Micallef holds a MBA from the Maastricht School of Management.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said she had the qualities essential for the position, especially in providing strategic direction to Air Malta, which is an integral part of the tourism sector.

Dr Zammit Lewis thanked Mr Fenech for his “valuable contribution” and sterling service during his tenure on the board of directors.

Ms Micallef now has the mammoth task of achieving a turnaround for the airline.

Air Malta went through a massive restructuring process imposed by the EU after the government saved it from bankruptcy in 2010 with a €52 million loan.

Two years later the EU approved €130 million in State aid on condition that it was restructured.

Air Malta almost halved its workforce, reduced the number of planes in operation and cut capacity.