Malta's finance minister alleges outsiders working against KM Malta Airlines

Malta's finance minister, Clyde Caruana, accused unnamed parties of working against the national airline and said some of them hope it collapses. At an event meant to cover Malta's next state budget, he spoke of hidden interests and of "mercenaries" who wanted the carrier to fail. He did not name anyone.

Caruana said no other issue had consumed as much of his time in office as the airline. He would eventually make public who had tried to obstruct it, he said. "When the time comes, I will spare no one and nothing," he said, according to remarks at the event. He gave no evidence of deliberate sabotage attempts.

His criticism appeared to extend to people connected with the previous national carrier, which employed staff who have since moved to other positions. They could have a financial interest in KM Malta Airlines leaving the market, he suggested. Caruana said the airline holds a market share of roughly 20 percent. If it stopped flying, others would have to fill that gap, which could benefit certain players. He did not say who those players were.

The accusations come as the government negotiates over an investor taking a stake in the airline. KM Malta Airlines has still not published business figures.