Air Malta 'will not' become feeder airline to Africa, Middle East - Zammit Lewis

Tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis has categorically denied reports that Air Malta will become a feeder airline of Alitalia or Etihad. The Sunday Times of Malta has reported that a new business plan for Air Malta will see the airline slash one third of its European routes, but introduce new flights to Northern Africa and the Middle East. “This strategy confirms Alitalia’s plan to use Air Malta as a feeder airline to the already established networks operated by Etihad and the Italian carrier,” the report claimed. However, Zammit Lewis vehemently denied that Air Malta will become a feeder airline. “The report written so as to create uncertainty for the airline at a crucial moment during negotiations, and to destabilise the tourism industry during a time of unprecedented success,” he said. <br/>