The government said yesterday it would be considering a proposal by low-cost airline Ryanair to increase their Malta operations “while making sure it did not go against the country’s general interests”.

The country’s interests, it noted, also included the long-term viability of the beleaguered Air Malta.

“The government is fully aware of the challenges faced by the national carrier and remains committed to securing its long-term sustainability,” the Finance Ministry and the Tourism Parliamentary Secretariat said.

Ryanair deputy CEO Michael Cawley said on Wednesday the airline was looking into launching 17 fresh routes and add “at least” one more plane to operate flights from the island.

This was a long-term plan that would be set in motion early next year, bringing 200,000 more tourists each year and generating more than 400 new jobs, he said.

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