Air Malta revenues are under pressure due to increased competition and the suspension of Libya, one of the airline’s profitable routes, CEO Louis Giordimaina said.

Joseph Galea

In a statement announcing the appointment of Joseph Galea as the airline’s deputy chief commercial officer, Mr Giodimaina said the chief commercial officer and his deputy would be immediately tasked with finding ways to develop a top revenue line which was healthy and sustainable, two things which continued to evade the airline despite the ongoing implementation of the restructuring plan.

Mr Galea, 50, has worked for Malta’s tourism sector for the past 23 years, most recently as the International Marketing Director for Malta Tourism Authority.

He has served as international marketing director of MTA since November 2006 and was directly responsible for positioning the Maltese islands in various overseas markets.

Mr Galea will succeed the selected chief commercial officer after a definite three-year period, during which he will gain sufficient airline experience to steer the commercial department.

The airline has also issued an international call to assume the post of Chief Commercial Officer, formerly held by Philip Saunders.