The airline also points out that speculation on its financial performance for the current financial year are premature particularly since the current financial year ends in March 2011. Formal discussions with the unions have already started and the airline will also be communicating directly with its employees to update them on the developments. 

Air Malta has stressed that a substantial number of airlines in Europe and around the world have been engaged in ongoing restructuring ever since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Air Malta further stated it is not immune to the challenges being faced by the aviation industry and has been carrying out a structured restructuring exercise since 2003. The airline points out that since 2003, it has managed to reduce its staff compliment by over 600 without resorting to dismissals. 

?During this sensitive time, Air Malta would like to appeal for factual and prudent reporting in the media as speculative and wrong information ? as has appeared in the media this week could lead to wrong perceptions or misconceptions which could be commercially damaging to the airline?.

In the early 1970s the Maltese government made a call for an international airline partner to help set up an airline. Pakistan's PIA was selected and a new carrier set up. The name chosen for the new airline was similar to that of its forerunner, Air Malta Co Ltd, and was established on 31 March 1973.

Both Malta Airlines and Malta Aviation Services were taken over by the government and the private owners were given a shareholding in Air Malta Co. Ltd. Air Malta is owned by the Maltese government (98%) and private investors (2%). Air Malta also has a 25% shareholding in Medavia. The airline employs 1,380 staff.