Minister of National Development Tamás Fellegi has met with the employees of Malév several times. He has informed their representatives of the government intentions concerning the airline and the expected schedule of national and international steps and decisions. The Minister has explained the current circumstances and plans intended to solve the situation. He also emphasized that the coming weeks might be a decisive period for the future of the company.

In order to clear up the situation at Malév, Tamás Fellegi has met the delegates of the trade associations of the airline on the 2nd of September. He held a separate meeting for the pilots on the 10th of September, with more than 50 employees present. He has explained the inherited legal and business setup and the current standing of Russian negotiations. After listening to the opinions of the pilots, the Minister affirmed that all concerned parties have to cooperate in order to solidify the position of Malév. He underlined that a badly timed strike is not suitable for forcing the owners to remove the management. He has asked for the patience of Malév employees until the international negotiations are concluded, as these would have a marked influence on the future of the company.

The Ministry of National Development has made it clear several times that Hungary needs a Budapest-centred national airline. Malév struggles with financial and liquidity problems inherited from the former government, requiring constant interventions. A clear government strategy will be created this autumn for a satisfactory resolution of the future of the airline.

Ministry of National Development Communication Division Budapest,
13 September 2010