The issue of whether Air Malta would resort to forced redundancies and outsourcing depended on whether an agreement could be reached with the General Workers' Union, the airline said yesterday.

Such an agreement would have to focus on the flexibility of rosters and an increase in productivity which the company was seeking, Air Malta said.

Air Malta said it would not like to resort to outsourcing but added that it could not keep operating at a higher cost than its competitors.

It said its position throughout the collective agreement negotiations had always been focused on increased productivity and flexibility in the light of its financial situation and the various developments taking place within the industry in order to ensure sustainability for its employees.

The airline said it adoped the same position during negotiations with other unions.