The August 31 date for unions to discuss collective agreements with Air Malta was chosen by the government because it was envisaged that discussions on the airline's new business plan with the strategic partner would be concluded by then.
“Only then, when concrete details are available, can decisive talks with your employee representatives be more constructive and can be concluded relatively quickly,” the airline’s new acting chief executive officer Joe Galea told staff in a memo.
“We understand there was a delay in the submission of this plan and we are sorry for that. However, rest assured that both the airline and the government, as its main shareholder, are working tirelessly to ensure a sustainable future for the airline, its employees and the local tourism industry.”
The government signed a memorandum of understanding with Alitalia last April to rope in the Italian carrier as a strategic partner. Talks with Alitalia over the purchase of a 49 per cent stake in Air Malta were to be concluded last month, but the government asked for an extension.
Alitalia is 49 per cent owned by Etihad of the United Arab Emirates, and talks have been held with Etihad’s top brass.
The business plan is expected to map out the future of Air Malta after the expiry of a five-year restructuring programme that failed to make the airline profitable.
This plan, Mr Galea said, was critical in more ways than one. It needed to be thoroughly reviewed in terms of its impact not only on the airline in terms of network, operation, fleet, financial and human resources but also on other aspects that would affect the tourism industry and the country.
“Such delicate plan needs time to be studied,” he said.
Hoping that Air Malta would continue to be Malta's leading airline, he told the staff: “we are in this together and I would not have taken up this position if I don’t see a future for it. It is important now that we all work together. Let us focus our efforts on creating a new airline fit to meet the business needs of today and tomorrow.”