National airline concludes sale of Air Supplies

Air Malta said it has concluded the sale of Air Supplies & Catering Co Ltd, another of its subsidiary companies which retails alcohol, tobacco and perfumes at the departure and arrival areas of Malta International Airport.

The sale of the company to Mediterranean Nuance Group Ltd follows the airline's current strategy to focus solely on core operations, the company said.

The Mediterranean Nuance Group Ltd is registered in Malta and its shareholders include the Nuance Group AG, Airport Investments Ltd and M. Demajo (Holdings) Ltd.

Air Malta said it is confident that the travel retail experience which Mediterranean Nuance brings to the operation will ensure that the level of retail business at the airport will continue to expand and improve to the benefit of the travelling public and the various stakeholders.

Last week a number of prominent Maltese companies described the sale of Air Supplies "as anti-competitive and not beneficial to the Maltese economy and its consumers". They had proposed that the acquisition be blocked by the competition authorities.

They are now expected to make representations asking that the new owners provide fair and adequate market access to the Maltese suppliers.

The companies are Paolo Bonnici, Francis Busuttil & Sons, C&M Marketing, Chemimart, Alfred Gera & Sons, Albert FS Manduca, Master Wine Holdings and Ta' Xbiex Perfumery Ltd and Xtreme Co.