Record year for aviation registry

Transport Malta’s Aviation Registry has continued to achieve a steady growth with a record of 61 aircraft registered in 2015.  The same year also saw a total of 6 new operators being certified as well as a substantial increase in the number of pilot and engineer licences issued.

With a register totalling 213 aircraft and 28 operators, the Maltese aviation registry is establishing itself.  More significantly, the register includes a large number of commercial aircraft and business jets when compared to light aircraft.  Amongst others, the Authority has registered two Airbus A340 and a Sukhoi Superjet 100, the latter being the first ever model of its type to be registered in the European Union. 

The success of the Aviation Registry is sustained by fiscal incentives including a low corporate tax regime as well as rebate on profits.  This is complemented by specialised technical personnel who are readily available, flexible and accessible.   All this has been made possible through various measures undertaken over the last year aimed at improving the level of service offered by the Civil Aviation Directorate, which included heavy investment in human resources and the relocation to newer and better-equipped premises in Luqa.  Such initiatives ensure that this Directorate has the necessary expertise and resources to ensure the highest possible service and standards so essential to the industry.

New Milestone for Maltese Aircraft Register

Maltese Aircraft Register reaches the 200 aircraft milestone

 The Government’s policy to promote Malta as a leading jurisdiction for Aircraft registration and as an attractive location to base air operating companies continues to register further success.  In fact, the number of aircraft on the Maltese aviation register has now reached a record number of 201. Since January, the Authority has registered 49 aircraft which compares very well with the 43 aircraft registered over the whole of 2014.

 

The last year has seen various initiatives aimed at restructuring the Civil Aviation Directorate.  These included extensive training to key personnel and an aggressive recruitment drive that resulted in doubling specialised inspecting personnel at the Authority. Today, the Civil Aviation Directorate has the necessary expertise to ensure the highest level of safety standards and service required by the industry. More investment in personnel is expected to be made next year to further strengthen other areas of the Directorate. These efforts have been recognised by leading international operators who are increasingly considering Malta as their place for business.

 

Commenting on these positive results, James Piscopo, Chairman & CEO of Transport Malta said “we are determined to ensure that Malta becomes a significant player in the aviation industry. The investment in specialised personnel is providing the required impetus to secure more business from a sector that gives our country prestige, direct foreign revenue, employment and added value.”  

Maltese plane emergency landing

Italian Aviation Authorities investigate Maltese plane’s emergency landing.

The Civil Aviation Directorate within Transport Malta is collaborating with the Italian Aviation Authorities in their investigation of an incident that happened this morning. The aircraft involved, a Tecnam P2002JF, with registration 9H-PPL is registered in Malta.

The aircraft suffered a rough running engine while on a routine exercise. The plane performed a precautionary landing in a field in the vicinity of Vizzini, Comiso.  The pilot, the only one on board, is safe and well while the aircraft undercarriage sustained damage.

A team of investigators and related personnel have been dispatched on site by the Italian authorities in order to conduct their investigation.

Certification of a new airline by Transport Malta

Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden front man at Transport Malta.

Cardiff Aviation Chairman Bruce Dickinson has met with Transport Malta to confirm final certification details for a new ACMI airline.

Following an announcement at the Paris Air Show of plans to establish the airline, which will be called VVB, Dickinson has met with Capt. M O’Brien and Eng Carl Tabone of Transport Malta to sign the details for an Air Operators Certificate (AOC), which permits the new venture to operate an EASA-class airline.

Dickinson says: “Transport Malta has played a crucial role in enabling VVB to take off in fixed-wing operations. With AOC details now confirmed and our first aircraft about to be deployed, Cardiff Aviation is now moving from maintenance and training to full aviation operations.”

He adds: “The authorities in Malta have been world-class and eager to support our entrepreneurial approach to aviation. We look forward to a successful start to our operations and thank them for their support and their confidence in our new airline.”

New offices for the Civil Aviation Directorate of Transport Malta

The Civil Aviation Directorate of Transport Malta will be moving into new offices located on the ground floor of Block A in the ex-Air Malta complex situated in Vjal l-Avjazzjoni, Ħal Luqa. The move is expected to be finalised on Monday 13th April 2015 by end of business.

Transport Malta regrets any inconvenience that may be caused by the move but assures its customers and stakeholders that all efforts will be spared to resume normal operations as soon as possible. Nevertheless, during the move, customers and stakeholders may experience slight delays in its normal operations.

The new postal address of the Directorate will be the following:

Civil Aviation Directorate
Transport Malta
Vjal l-Avjazzjoni
Luqa LQA9023
Malta

Unless otherwise notified telephone numbers will remain unchanged.

Fly past on Sunday 29th March

Transport Malta is supporting a fly past organised by the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Malta, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism. The fly past with various types of aircraft is commemorating the 100 years of Aviation in Malta.

The formation will depart from Luqa Airport, fly over the Qrendi Airfield, proceed towards Ħal Far Airfield onto Ta’ Qali Airfield and eventually fly over the Gozo Heliport. These airfields, now disused, were operational at some point during these past one hundred years since the first plane flew over the Maltese Islands.   All these airfields played an important role in Maltese History, especially during the second world war.

After flying over the Gozo Heliport, the formation will route via the East Coast of Malta towards the Sliema Sea Front.

The public is invited to view the formation from:

– Ħal Far
– Ta’ Qali
– Gozo Heliport
– Sliema Sea Front, along Tower Road (Main Area)

Leading the flypast will be a restored 1930s Tiger Moth biplane followed by two microlights of the Island Microlight Club and 11 aircraft from aviation schools.

Bringing up the rear will be a Medavia Dash-8, a new AW-139 helicopter and a King Air, both of the AFM.

Own a Drone or thinking of owning one?

Public Consultation on the Usage of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Malta

Transport Malta in collaboration with the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry for Tourism will be holding a public consultation meeting to discuss the usage and regulation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Malta, commonly known as civil drones.

The meeting will we held on the 28th February 2015 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta starting at 10:00 am. Registrations from 09:30am. The consultation will give interested parties the opportunity to discuss and comment on the initiative to regulate through the publishing of a legal notice the use of RPAS within Maltese airspace.

A copy of the draft legal notice can be downloaded from this link.

Stakeholders and the general public can send their feedback, comments and suggestions via email.

RPAS Consultation PDF

100 Years of Aviation in Malta

 This year marks the 100th year since an airplane first flew over the Islands of Malta.  The Ministry for tourism organised an Open Day at the Luqa Airfield to commemorate this historic event.

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Transport Malta‘s Civil Aviation Directorate put up a stand during this open day.  Our personnel were on site to greet visitors and explain Transport Malta’ s role within the Aviation sector.  Here are a few pictures of the event thanks to Stephen Muscat.

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Facebook Post by Transport Malta.