Vienna Airport has ‘no plans’ to sell its stake in Malta Airport

Malta International Airport’s majority shareholder Vienna Airport plc today insisted that it has “no plans whatsoever” to sell its strategic stake.

In a statement issued today, Vienna Airport said it is very satisfied with the development of its investment and the performance of the current management.

“The Management Board of Vienna Airport clearly denied any rumors and sees it as an attempt to destabilise the airport management teams in Malta and Vienna.”

MIA’s majority shareholder noted that the Malta airport posted record results in 2014, both in terms of passenger volume and also with respect to its financial indicators, and said it was very proud of this strategic investment.

“Under the leadership of Alan Borg, the company has developed outstandingly, and for this reason we see no need to make changes in the management or the ownership structure,” Julian Jäger from the Management Board of Vienna Airport said.

Vienna Airport also confirmed that talks were held in the past with potential partners concerning possible changes in the ownership structure of Malta International Airport.

“However, Vienna Airport decided not to sell any of its shares and to continue holding its strategic stake in Malta International Airport plc. Accordingly, all discussions with potential partners were terminated in January 2015, a fact which was also conveyed to the Government of Malta,” the statement said.

The Management Board of Vienna Airport plc expressly communicated to the Annual General Meeting of Vienna Airport plc held on 6 May, 2015 and the telephone conference call with capital market analysts on 19 May on the occasion of the publication of the company’s results for the first quarter of 2015 that there were no intentions to dispose of the strategic stake in Malta International Airport plc.

The company also said that at present, the legally mandated tender process to fill the positions of the Management Board members for Vienna Airport was underway, in light of the fact that the current terms of office of the Management Board members expire at the end of September 2016.

A decision on filling the positions on the Management Board of Vienna Airport plc is expected to be made by the Supervisory Board by the summer of 2015, and in any case will not have any effect on the stake held by Vienna Airport plc in Malta International Airport plc.