The decision by British Airways to stop its Gatwick-Malta service, and Air Malta's decision to step into the breach, underlined the national airline's importance and the need for the government to support it, the Opposition said today.

Opposition tourism spokesman Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said the British flag carrier's decision should be a matter of concern to the government, in the same way as it was worrying operators.

Britain was still Malta's biggest source market for tourism, and seat capacity and promotion were essential elements of the tourism industry, Ms Coleiro-Preca said.

She said that the latest development showed, once more, that Air Malta was a vital national asset which could not be privatised.

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