The decision by Air Malta to fill the void left by British Airways that will stop its Malta-Gatwick service in October, highlighted the importance of the national airline and the need for the government to support it, the Labour Party's spokesman on tourism, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said.

Like a number of operators, the government too should be worried by the British flag carrier's decision to suspend its Malta flight, Mrs Coleiro Preca said. Britain was still Malta's biggest source market for tourism and seat capacity and promotion were essential elements in the tourism industry, she added.

This latest development proved, once more, that Air Malta was a vital national asset that could not be privatised, Mrs Coleiro Preca said.

British Airways announced its decision on Tuesday citing the bad economic climate as the main reason. Its flights from Gatwick will be suspended on October 25. Air Malta said it would be adding an additional two flights per week to meet the demand.

The tourism authorities do not expect the decision to badly affect Malta's tourism industry because the route is thought to already be well served by Air Malta and Easyjet, which are both not yet running at full capacity.