Towards Greener Aviation

Although Malta is not the first country that comes to mind when speaking of business aviation in Europe, in the latest statistics published by the EBAA, Malta was the only airport in Europe which registered a growth in business aviation activity. Whilst granted the activity in Malta is still miniscule when compared to other European airports, one has to admit that a growth is a growth and in the current economic climate this is no mean feat. This is no accident, the Maltese government by a number of economic measures has managed to create an environment whereby high net worth individuals and industries have set base in Malta, increasing the country’s economic growth and as a direct result the number of movements of business jets to the island. Although a Malta is a small economy, it has so far not experienced the economic downturn in the same way as mainland Europe. DC Aviation had seen potential in Malta back in 2007 and in 2008 had established an office in Malta offering business jet handling and serving also as a regional sales office for its fleet of in excess of 35 business jets. DC Aviation’s faith has been rewarded as when the world started experiencing the economic downturn in Malta in October 2008 we handled the most business jets ever on the island. DC Aviation wants to actively contribute to the local community in Malt and as such last Sunday, 8th March 2009, officially launced in Malta an innovative campaign together with the Birkirkara Local Council on the official visit of His Excellency the President of Malta Dr. Edward Fenech Adami. An initiative which should improve the local environment and lead by example by contributing positively to the evironment. DC Aviation donated a number of trees, which were planted by His Excellency The President of Malta and the Managing Director of DC Aviation Ltd. Stanley Bugeja, at the Garden Beatu Nazju Falzon. ‘Towards Greener Aviation’ is the name of chosen by DC Aviation whereby a tree would be planted in the local council of Birkirkara for every business jet we handle in Malta.

EBACE Day 2 - 21st May

Business Aviation Will No Longer Be Neglected, EC Official Says During today’s EBACE opening session, European Commission director for air transport Daniel Calleja pledged more “proportionate” rules for business aviation in the future, acknowledging that this segment of air transport has “too often been neglected in the past.” According to Calleja, “The EC this year is launching key initiatives to make aviation more efficient, safer and environmentally sustainable.” He recognized the importance of general and business aviation, stating, “Almost one-fifth of Eurocontrol aircraft movements and two-thirds of EASA type certificates are for general or business aviation.” The EC thinks aviation needs “better,” as opposed to more, regulation, Calleja asserted. He promised the EC would make sure future safety regulations apply to business aircraft in a proportionate way. Another challenge Calleja sees concerns the international nature of the industry. “We want a level playing field,” he said, a sentiment echoed by NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “The U.S. requires a 10-day notice for business flights from Europe. Yet, when we [Americans] face similar requirements in emerging countries, we find it unacceptable,” Bolen said. “We need to get our house in order.” Record EBACE Attendance Total Continues to Climb May 21, 2008 The record-setting attendance total for the 8th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2008) continues its climb. By noon on the second day of the show, EBACE2008 had registered 13,137 Attendees. That was an increase over the first-day count of 12,483 Attendees, which was higher than the total attendance for any previous year's show. EBACE2008 has shattered other previous records, with more than 440 Exhibitors, an all-time high, displaying the latest products and services across a total of 1,958 booth spaces, a 38 percent increase over last year. The Static Display of Aircraft on Geneva International Airport also has a highest-ever total of 60 state-of-the-art business aircraft and three aircraft mock-ups. For the latest EBACE2008 news, podcasts, photos, presentations and more, visit www.ebace.aero/. And don't forget anyone wanting to discuss operating and managing Business Jets from Malta can call for an appointment.

EBACE Day 1 - 20 May 08

EBACE2008 Concludes First Day With Record-Setting Attendance May 20, 2008 The first day of the 8th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2008) closed with an attendance level higher than any overall, three-day attendance total for any previous year's show. EBACE2008 had 12,483 Attendees registered by the end of the day, a 10 percent increase in Attendees for the entirety of last year's EBACE event. EBACE2008 has shattered other previous records, with more than 440 Exhibitors, an all-time high, displaying the latest products and services across a total of 1,958 booth spaces, a 38 percent increase over last year. The Static Display of Aircraft on Geneva International Airport also has a highest-ever total of 60 state-of-the-art business aircraft and three aircraft mock-ups. For the latest EBACE2008 news, podcasts, photos, presentations and more, visit www.ebace.aero/news.

Embraer extends business jet Lineage at EBACE Embraer has unveiled the latest addition to its executive jet family. The Lineage 1000 is an ultra-large business jet derivative of the Embraer 190.

LHT adds finishing touches to CL850 Lufthansa Technik is in the final stage of completing the first Bombardier Challenger 850 executive jet interior installation. The aircraft - one of 17 scheduled for completion over three years, and one of five at LHT's facility - is due for delivery this summer. LHT was named a completion centre for the CL850 at last year's EBACE and the first aircraft arrived in Hamburg in September 2005. The aircraft has a range of 2,095nm, with a high speed cruise of Mach 0.80.

Ebace 20 - 22 May - Geneva

Europe’s leading companies continue to find the competitive advantage that is gained through the use of Business Aviation, Europe’s engine for growth. European companies are prospering as their employees overcome distances between various locations throughout Europe (and the world), save time in congested airports, maintain security and optimize their time when they must travel to grow business. EBACE2008, in Geneva May 20, 21, 22, is the flagship forum for the European business aviation community to find products and services from the world’s top vendors. Also at EBACE, the European regulators and government officials who make decisions that directly affect business aviation operations in Europe and around the world meet face to face with the companies who are using aviation to facilitate their business. EXHIBIT/SHOW HOURS: TUESDAY, MAY 20 10h00 – 18h00 Exhibits in Halls 5, 6 and 7, and Static Display of Aircraft Open WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 09h00 – 17h00 Exhibits in Halls 5, 6 and 7, and Static Display of Aircraft Open THURSDAY, MAY 22 Exhibits in Halls 5, 6 and 7 Open 09h00 – 16h00 Static Display of Aircraft Open 09h00 – 15h00 We will be at EBACE from the 20th to the 22nd May, anyone who would like to meet to discuss, future trips to Malta, the potential of the Maltese register and AOC, feel free to drop me a line. In the meantime I will try to post some notes on my experiences at the show, while in Geneva.

EBACE 20 - 22 May Geneva, Switzerland

EBACE is the most important European business aviation event, and is held every year in Geneva, Switzerland. The event is set in an extensive exhibition space with stands for all the major international partners in business aviation in ‘Geneva PALEXPO’, located right next to Geneva international airport. In addition, an extensive open-air exhibition is also mounted on airport land. On the fringes of EBACE, numerous briefings, press conferences and workshops are also held in the adjoining conference facilities. EBACE 2008 – the place to be for anyone interested in this extremely fast-growing aviation sector – will be held this year from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 May. As in previous years, we will be visting at the fair.

EBACE can thus be regarded as a key European contact point for the ever-growing business aviation activities. We find that EBACE is a very good place to meet new potential customers, operators and get a better feel of concerns and upcoming buzz in this market. One can find more info at www.ebace.aero.

Any one interested in a one to one meeting on the advantages of operating, registering and managing a business jet from Malta is welcome to set an appointment. Simply drop us an e-mail on info@sierra-aviation.com.

Tax Implications in Biz Aviation

Malta is not yet synonymous with business aviation, but the business aviation industry my well look a little deeper in what this tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean has to offer, other than the great weather and historical places. Over the years Malta made a name for itself as a low tax country, first by offering offshore legislation as far back as 1988 and of late, since Malta became a full member of the European Union, by offering a unique infrastructure whereby international trading companies can benefit from unique fiscal framework within the European Union. As airports become more congested and successful businesses experience growth and offer their services to a global audience, the more business aviation will increase. In a recent EU publication it was estimated that since 2002 the business and general aviation rate of increase was almost twice as high as that of scheduled airlines, percentage wise. In spite of the current air of economic doom and gloom, which invaribly will effect economic growth and business profitability, there is a school of thought that maintains that the current airline woes will just make business aviation more attractive, especially with the advent of VLJ's which make the service more affordable to a wider spectrum of businesses and individuals. With this growth in utilisation of business aircraft, the industry has started to attract greater attention from regulatory institutions, but also the more knowledgable end user, business traveler, is strating to frown upon the so called low-tax operations in so called flag of convenience countries. This is where Malta is in a league of its own. Malta was the first country to adopt JAR-OPS as its legislation, and today offers, JAR-OPS 1 Air Operating Certificates, soon EU OPS 1, as EASA takes over from JAA, thus Malta is no flag of convenience, but has a respected aviation authority within the European framework. The trade secret is that the Maltese government has legislated fiscal laws acceptable to the European Union, but not just, as Malta has in excess of 50 double taxation treaties, whereby one can have a tax effecient(low tax) infrastracture, not considered as tax evasive by the European Union. In essence non resident shareholders, individuals or organisations who setup a Maltese company for trading internationally, although the company is taxed at 35% on its pofits, on decleration of dividends, the non resident shareholders are refunded 6/7 of the tax paid. There are various scenarios possible of how one, whether an operator, an owner, a broker, a management organisation can benefit from the Maltese formula. We have put together a team of consultants with various expertise from airworthiness to financing, from legal to tax advise for individuals or organisations who want to investigate these opportunities further. A tax efficient infrastructure, does not neccessarily mean a Maltese Operating certificate, there various scenarios available which would allow an organsation to maintain its current AOC and country of register yet still benefit from the Maltese fiscal incentives. As oil prices and labour cost continue to increase, a tax efficient infrastructure could give an operation the competitive edge or a business the opportunity to become more efficient and own a business jet.

First Business Jet Manufacturer Visits Malta

April, 4th July 2008, Malta International Airport. Malta is fast gaining ground in the business aviation scene. Late in 2007, the first JAR-OPS AOC was issued for a company which will operate a Lear 60XR in Moscow. Last Friday, we experienced another first in this niche industry. Embraer, a Brasilian aircraft manufacturer, through the Executive Aircraft arm, landed in Malta with a Legacy 600. In collaboration with Sierra Aviation the aircraft was shown to a number of businessmen residing in Malta, both local and foreign. Christophe Fantapie, regional sales director for Embraer Executive Jets, stated that he definitely sees Malta's potential as very competitive institution where one could register, operate or manage a business jet. In view of Malta's now world renowned yacth register and Malta's maritime history, Embraer also sees the potential to showcase its executive aircraft. The existing Legacy 600, shortly the lighter Phenom 300 and Phenom 100 which will be released to service this year and next respectivley, Embraer offers high end business jets at very competitive prices, also banking on its experience as an aircraft constructor. Embraer boasts of a 99.98% dispatch reliability on its Legacy 600. A record which is second to none. Although Embraer, is expected to launch small mid size jet at EBACE in Geneva this year, once Embraer has demo aircraft of available in Europe for either of its Phenom line, Malta is sure to be on the agenda.

Malta, Fiscal Incentives, Business Aviation and Embraer

Malta a country with a population of just under 400,000, with one of the lowest GDP's in Europe surely cannot be a huge market for business jet aircraft? Here is the surprising part, Malta joined the EU in 2004 and the Eurozone in January 2008, and in the last weekend of March it has become also a Schengen Country. I here you say, "So?". Malta has a unique tax infrastructure approved by the EU whereby, anyone could take tax residence at very interesting fiscal incentives not only for individuals but also for organisations. A foreign individual who takes tax residence in Malta, is taxed at 15% on the income brought into Malta, whilst 0rganisatons who set up a real office in Malta, although still attract a corporate tax of 35%, the foreign shareholders are refunded 30% of the tax within 20 days. Malta is the first EU country to licence online gaming companies and has one of Europe's largest Super Yacth registry. Combine all of that with a legal framewaork based on British and European laws, English is not a second language but an official legal language together with Maltese, and the let's not forget the 300 days of sunshine all year round, Malta has seen a huge influx of high net worth individuals, organisations and foreign investment. Sierra Aviation, had forseen this potential back in 2002, and became the first company and is still todate the only company which is dedicated to business aviation. As the number of these individuals and organisations grow, and as Malta's profile through its EU connection continues to come to the forefront the more such people will travel to the island of Malta and call it home. Embraer is the first manufacturer to recognise this and will on the 4th April demo its flagship aircraft the Legacy 600 at Malta International airport. If you happen to be in Malta and are in the market for a new business jet contact Sierra Aviation for an appointment.

Business Aviation from Malta

1. Malta: Not just an island in sun
2. Business Jet Handling in Malta (LMML)
3. Managing and Operating a Business Jet on the Maltese Register - Part 1
4. Managing and Operating a Business Jet on the Maltese Register - Part 2
5. Managing and Operating a Business Jet on the Maltese Register - Part 3
6. Managing and Operating a Business Jet on the Maltese Register - Part 4
7. Embraer Legacy will be visting Malta
8. Embraer Demos Legacy 600 in Malta
9. Malta, Fiscal Incentives, Business Aviation and Embraer
10. History of Maltese Business Aviation
11. Tax Implications in Biz Aviation
12. EBACE 20 - 22 May Geneva, Switzerland