Malta’s strategic geographical position has meant that its aviation industry has increasingly presented numerous economic opportunities. The importance of the Malta aviation sector has led the Maltese Authorities to shift towards the creation of an aviation framework aimed at enhancing aircraft registration and aircraft operator licensing.
The Malta flag’s importance has already been demonstrated in the shipping sector, and this success is now being extrapolated to the aviation industry. Malta has in recent years enacted amendments to its aviation legislation. The introduction of the Malta Aircraft Registration Act in 2010 placed Malta as having one of the most reputable aircraft registers, boosting its aviation sector. The Aircraft Registration Act helped to enhance the aviation framework on the islands. It implemented the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and its Aircraft Protocol, permitting further creditor trust in the jurisdiction for aviation purposes. Malta took additional measures to boost the aviation industry in 2012 by establishing the Safi Aviation Park which provides aviation related industrial space including maintenance, training and repair facilities.
Malta has aimed to position itself as an attractive aviation services and aircraft registration jurisdiction within the EU by bolstering its aviation registry. The available aviation legislation provides the aviation industry with a solid foundation. This is further complemented by the competitive aviation registration costs, the authority's practical understanding of the aviation sector and favourable corporate structures. The aviation framework in place provides a number of benefits to anyone seeking to register an aircraft on the island.
