The government would consider alternatives if negotiations with Alitalia on the sale of a major stake in Air Malta fell through, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said yesterday. He was speaking during a meeting with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, whose president Tony Zahra expressed concerns that the national airline would no longer be carrying the most passengers in and out of Malta by next year. The MHRA was presenting Dr Muscat with a series of economic and social proposals ahead of this month's Budget. "This is our national airline. It is what we have and we must safeguard it," Mr Zahra said, to which Dr Muscat replied that he would be seeking other options if discussions with Alitalia, which is 49 per cent owned by the Abu Dhabi airline Etihad, failed. "There are no ties with the deal currently on the table. If a better offer comes through or if negotiations are not to our advantage, we will go for another alternative," Dr Muscat said. Nearly half a year has passed since the government announced Alitalia would be taking up a 49 per cent stake in Air Malta. The future of the deal, however, is subject to public and media speculation. Tourism Minister Edward Zammit...
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