The ongoing restructuring of Air Malta was today discussed between Finance Minister Tonio Fenech and European Commission vice-president Joaquin Almunia, who is also the Commissioner responsible for competition matters.

The meeting was part of the ongoing discussions on the national airline and the work which is being undertaken by the Government and Air Malta's board of directors to transform the airline into a viable one.

After examining the restructuring plan submitted by the government, the European Commission launched the formal state aid investigation procedure and published the details of the Air Malta case in its official journal on February 21.

This development was welcomed by the government as a significant step forward and means that the approval process of Air Malta's restructuring plan by the Commission is on schedule.

Mr Fenech described today's meeting as "positive and encouraging".

He said that "the airline's restructuring plan is having a positive impact on Air Malta's finances" and that he is "confident that, notwithstanding the very rigorous investigation procedure currently underway by the European Commission, the restructuring plan will receive the full endorsement of the Commission in the coming weeks".