European Commission wouldn’t comment further on KM Malta

Last weekend, NEWZ.mt revealed data pooling with the old national airline, which has raised further doubts whether KM Malta Airlines is an entirely new carrier.

NEWZ.mt understands that the GDPR-related issue is currently subject to a preliminary assessment by the Information and Data Protection Commissioner.

Replying to this news outlet’s questions on the matter, the European Commission copied a statement it had already issued in October 2023:

“The Commission takes note of the Maltese authorities’ initiative to create a new air carrier, which will be different from the existing carrier, Air Malta. We have no further comment on the matter.”

On the GDPR aspect, the EC said it expected “all companies active in the EU to fully comply with EU data protection rules” and that it would not comment on individual cases.

It remains unclear why Brussels, after negotiating plans for a new national airline with the government, chose to comment like an uninvolved third party, merely “taking note” of Malta’s “initiative”.

The government initially tried to get the Commission’s approval for another round of state aid for Air Malta worth almost €300 million.

Last April it emerged that the EC would not approve state aid and that talks with Brussels would shift to discussing the launch of a new airline.

NEWZ.mt has asked the Commission to detail its requirements for an airline supposedly “different from the existing carrier”, as negotiated with the government.

The EC has also been asked if and how it monitors the ongoing implementation of what was discussed behind closed doors.