The Maltese islands are located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, with a fascinating history, a varied culture and beautiful blue waters where the sun shines more than 300 days a year. Malta is strategically located on one of the world’s major trade routes. The archipelago has benefited from a wide range of initiatives taken over the years to give a strong boost to the local aeronautical industry. The strategies developed over the years were aimed exclusively at internationally renowned entities to attract them to Maltese shores. These highly acclaimed names in the aerospace industry have developed strong relationships with local regulators and entities, which in turn have helped them flourish and prosper.
The Maltese government has recognized that the aviation industry can be an important pillar in the economy and has set out a strategic vision to transform the country to help the sector achieve new goals. Malta has developed one of the most tax-efficient jurisdictions for commercial and private aviation companies in Europe. Thanks to the provisions of the Cape Town Convention, la Ley de Registro de Aeronaves, el Empleo Calificado en la Aviación (Impuesto Personal) y más de 80 países con los que Malta ha firmado Convenios de Transporte Aéreo, Malta se ha posicionado como uno de los países más atractivos de Europa para la industria aeronútica. Transport Malta – Civil Aviation Directorate (TM-CAD) (aeronautical regulatory agency), offers a range of rates that are among the most competitive in Europe, and TM-CAD has simplified regulations that fully comply with international safety standards established by the European Aviation Safety Association (EASA).
In the case of start-up or established companies interested in expanding their operations in Malta, the economic development agency Malta Enterprise will provide them with full support. These measures are intended to support those with a viable business concept from the initial stages. These grants include financial subsidies, subsidized loans, tax credits, rent subsidies, and business advisory services. Here you can check all the measures offered by Malta Enterprise.
Main achievements: 2003-2019
In 2003, Malta focused mainly on the aviation maintenance sector. However, as part of its economic development strategy, a legal framework was established to attract Air Operators. To encourage the arrival of Air Operators, measures have been put in place to provide support for the creation of aeronautical maintenance training organizations and flight crew training. Hoy en día, la industria aeronáutica representa el 2,5% del PIB nacional por lo cual el gobierno le ha dado absoluta prioridad.
In total, Malta has eleven (11) aeronautical maintenance organizations, seven (7) aircraft maintenance training centers, five (5) cabin crew training centers, five (5) pilot training schools, thirty-six (36) aircraft operator certificates (AOC) and four hundred and seventy-seven (477) registered aircraft. Considering its size, as well as its strategic position as a hub in the Mediterranean, Malta has been considered very attractive by investors in the airline industry.
Aviation maintenance companies based in Malta
Lufthansa Technics
In 2003, Lufthansa Technics established an aircraft maintenance joint venture with local airline Air Malta, and in 2008, three new hangars were inaugurated to boost A330/A340 maintenance operations. In 2019, after extraordinary efforts, Lufthansa Technics Malta announced the addition of the Airbus A350 to its allotments. Lufthansa Technics Malta has invested EUR 25 million in the construction of a new hangar with a surface area of 21,000m2, thus creating 90 new jobs in the aeronautical sector.
SR Technics
SR Technics established part of its operations on the Maltese islands in 2010, with EasyJet’s Airbus A320 aircraft as its main customer. After almost ten years of operations in Malta, SR Technics is expanding its facilities and investing in a new 30,000m2 hangar that is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2020. The expansion will cost 40 million euros and will increase the workforce by 350 employees.
M.C.M
The maintenance of Private Jets Malta is handled by M.C.M (Maintenance Centre Malta), an MRO, Maintenance Training and CAMO organization based in Malta since 2008. The company provides maintenance services for Bombardier, Dassault, Diamond, Dornier, Embraer, Gulfstream and Textron (Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker) aircraft types. Following the development of the local aerospace industry, in 2016, M.C.M. decided to expand its operations in Malta by investing in a 25,000m2 hangar to meet growing demand.
Medavia
Another important player in the Maltese aviation family is the Medavia airline and maintenance center. Operating in Malta since 1978, Medavia provides maintenance for Bombardier DHC 8-100/200/300, CASA C-212, Beech 1900 / 200, AVRO 146-RJ, ATR 42 / 72, Donier and DHC-6 aircraft and employs more than 200 workers.
Aeromaritime Malta
Aeromaritime Malta Ltd. is part of the ITP Group established in Malta since 1979. The company is approved by Rolls-Royce as an Authorized Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center to provide a full range of services to worldwide operators of the M250 and RR300 powered helicopters and aircraft.
Bravo Aircraft Technical Services (BATS)
Bravo Aircraft Technical Services is one of the latest companies to join the Maltese aviation family. This MRO obtained EASA 145 approval in 2018 to provide maintenance services on A320, A330, A340, B737 Classic and NG, and B777 aircraft models. The main focus of BATS is the provision of a ONE STOP SHOP service. BATS is currently in the process of obtaining approval to perform maintenance work on the Boeing B757, B767, B787 and B737 MAX.
Aviation Cosmetics
Aviation Cosmetics Malta was opened in 2016. The company started with an initial investment of 15 million euros and has done extensive paint work in recent years, such as the very elaborate Hi-Fly A380 (Save the Coral Reef) with registration number 9H-MIP.
EASA 145 Certified Maintenance Organizations in Malta
▪ Air Malta
▪ Team Europe
▪ Gulf Med Aviation Services
▪ Malta Wing Company
▪ Touristic Aviation Services (Corendo Maintenance)
▪ Air X Jet Support
▪ Vista Jet Aircraft Maintenance
Training Centers in Aeronautical Maintenance and Aeronautical Engineering
A fast-growing aerospace industry needs a lot of highly skilled labor to support the work force
University of Malta
The University of Malta provides a Diploma in Aeronautical Maintenance. The course is focused on the technical and regulatory aspects of aviation with the main objective of providing a technical foundation to industry professionals who wish to further improve their skills and qualifications in aircraft maintenance management. This course provides direct access to complete EASA Part 66 training. If you want to know more about this diploma course you will find all the information in this link
MCAST
The Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST) offers a wide range of aviation maintenance training courses, ranging from the Diploma in Aircraft Structures and Repairs to the Aircraft Maintenance Technician Course (leading to the EASA Part 66 CAT B1/B2 exams). Most students who complete the MCAST courses will have the opportunity to join one of the various aviation maintenance and management companies on the island. If you need more information follow this link
Other key players in aeronautical maintenance training include:
- AP Malta: Offers various types of courses in private jets such as Learjet, Cessna, Bombardier, Donier, Bae series, and Dassault Falcon.
- Academy 147: Provides Bombardier, Learjet, BAe, Donier, Gulfstream, and Falcon-type courses.
- Brok-Air Training: Proporciona cursos tipos en Airbus A320 (B1.11 & C), B737 CL (B1.1) and B737 NG (B1.1) .
- Malta Aviation Training Academy: Provides mainly Bombardier DHC8- 100/200/300 series type courses.
- AVIET: Offers courses on Airbus A320, A320 NEO, A320 NEO, and A320 CEO differences with CFM Leap 1-A engine and Boeing 737 NG.
- Aeromaritime Mediterranean: Offers type courses on Roll-Royce M250 series models.
Meet the airline operators that have chosen Malta to establish their businesses
- Comlux Malta
- Hi Fly
- Air X Charter
- Malta Air
- Vista Jet
- Smart Lynx Airlines
- Maleth-Aero
- TAG Aviation
- DC Aviation
- Corendo Airlines
Major aviation events in Malta
MAVIO (Malta Aviation Outlook) is the pioneering aviation event in the Maltese Islands. Founded by First Officer Chris Cauchi in 2010. The first event took place in May 2011 with the collaboration of the Bank of Valletta. Between 2011 and 2014, MAviO journalists prepared a Malta Special, a 12-page supplement that focused on the Maltese aviation industry. The 2012 edition of the World Airnews Aviation Awards were presented. The awards were divided into three categories: Aviator of the Year, Leader of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award. MAviO es la conferencia de aviación más grande y con mayor asistencia de la isla, la cual atrae a varios oradores e invitados del más alto calibre. Admission to the conference is FREE but strictly by invitation. Over the years it has gained more and more support to become Malta’s most awaited networking event in the aviation sector.
MACE (Malta Aviation Conference and Expo) It was created for the purpose of collaboration and mutual assistance between local and global aviation leaders. The first edition of MACE took place in October-November 2019 with the support of Malta Transport, EBAA (European Business Aviation Association), and MBAA (Malta Business Aviation Association). The meeting agenda focused on topics related to business aviation in Malta: future challenges, the future of business aviation in Europe and urban air transport, aircraft leasing: current market trends and developments, artificial intelligence and innovation in risk management.
Summary
Malta has strived to be at the forefront when it comes to private and commercial aviation. Over the years, the island has provided the necessary tools and the appropriate legal framework for investors to grow and achieve new goals, thus establishing new standards in this area. The success of the major players in the Maltese aerospace industry has put the island on the radar of a number of industry heavyweights eager to benefit from all the advantages Malta has to offer.
