Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Joe Mizzi said that the aviation sector is fast becoming a major contributor to the country's ever-growing economy.
"A robust and modern legislative framework and straightforward registration procedure mean that Malta is now a recognized address for the registration of both corporate and private jets, with over 220 aircraft on its register and close to 30 operators being holders of a Maltese AOC (Air Operator's Certificate). This has all been facilitated through the very attentive and efficient service provided by the Civil Aviation Directorate of Transport Malta, which is the regulatory authority for all transport modes in Malta," Minister Mizzi said.
During the opening speech of the 22nd European Aviation Authorities' Chief Medical Officers' Forum, Minister Mizzi remarked that is indeed an honour for Malta to host such an event, not only because this is the first CMO meeting to be held in our country, but because it also coincides with Malta's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which in itself makes it even more memorable.
Minister Mizzi said that during a relatively short span of time, the island had managed to build a cluster of highly respected and well-recognized companies which have chosen to set up or alternatively base their operations in Malta.
He added that the maintenance and repair sectors within the industry are also growing at a comparably fast rate. Today, Malta is also becoming a leader in a broad range of supporting aviation services, as it hosts firms catering for engineering services, crew training, communications, finance and legal services. With the worldwide aviation industry growing at a remarkably fast rate, Malta looks forward to continue expanding its already impressive aviation cluster by attracting more aircraft companies to set up their business in Malta as well as related ancillary services.
"Moreover", the Minister added, "the Maltese government is committed to continue developing the aviation industry's research and development sector in order to permit the country to retain a competitive lead on a global scale."
"Needless to say that new opportunities bring new challenges. The global growth of the aviation industry has meant increased dependence on air transport as the preferred form of transportation across the world. Furthermore, never before today has the aviation industry been faced with a bombardment of outside threats predominantly those involving safety and security issues. This in turn inevitably entails increased pressures and standards to ensure that the industry's human resources, particularly flight crew, not only attain the highest level of training and qualifications possible, but are mentally and physically fit to be able to carry out their work," he said.
Minister Mizzi concluded by saying that the CMO Forum is the ideal body where the delegates' experience and expertise in the medical field can best be made use of in formulating submissions to regulatory bodies and hence making it possible for people who previously did not meet the required standard to start or continuing flying without jeopardizing safety.
Information about the meeting:
Two meetings are held in a year at six monthly intervals. The scope of the meetings is to give the opinion of the CMOs to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding health regulations, governing pilots and Air Traffic Controllers. This includes medical conditions and latest advancements in treatments. The ultimate aim is to further enhance safety in air travel.
Source: PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY FOR TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
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