Minister warns of shutting down Air Malta, after cabin crew strike mulls.

Tourism minister Konrad Mizzi told newspaper MaltaToday that the government might have no other option but to close Air Malta down completely and re-open with new staff unless unions back the strategy being put in place.

Unless all Air Malta employees, and their respective representatives, understand the need to cooperate with the company as it strives to make the airline profitable, the government will have no option but to close down Air Malta completely and re-open with new staff.

Sources have confirmed that the cabin crew will be citing rostering issues as the reason for the action, but the real issues seem to be tied with the demands in pay increase and the dismissal of some part-time staff.

“If the employees and the unions do not understand that they need to work with company and the government while we implement changes to make the airline profitable, the government might have no other option but to close the company down completely and re-open with new staff,”

he said.

“Let me be clear, as things stand now, it is possible – and highly likely – that our strategy will be successful and that Air Malta can survive and be profitable, but not if not all parties are on board with the plan.”