This is one element of a plan on the part of the carrier to become more efficient and to trim its operational costs. According to sources, these two arms in fact may be the first in a series of functions that are put out to tender. Sources close to the carrier have said that if the plans were to go ahead, there would be no job losses, since staff would be absorbed by an unnamed government entity. It appears that Air Malta would recruit engineering and ground handling services from either the private sector or from amongst its former employees. A spokesperson added that through this model, the company would not need to keep a round-the-clock engineering and ground handling operation, independent of season and the volume of work. in fact, the carrier would be able to hire on demand, according to its specific requirements.
If Air Malta decides to go down the outsourcing route, it will be following a well-established European model.
