The government was committed to ensure that Air Malta's workers had a future, the Prime Minister said this afternoon.

He underlined Air Malta as one of the major decisions to be taken, amid reports that Etihad is expected to buy a significant stake in the national airline.

Joseph Muscat said 2016 would be a year of consolidation and the government would pursue further reforms.

"We will engage with civil society and submit ourselves to media scrutiny... mistakes will be made but we are committed to rectify them," he said.

He also lamented that gyms have not lowered their prices to reflect a reduction in the VAT rate. The VAT rate on sport activities was more than halved in the last Budget.

Dr Muscat used a New Year greetings event for the media and social partners organised by the Labour Party to press home the message.

"It is a free market and there is little the government can do but this is where the media can play a role to expose these matters," he said.