Malta Aircraft Registration Act

The Minister has announced that shortly Malta would be enacting a new Aircraft Registration Act. The aim of this legislation is to support the aviation industry. Malta has recently attracted the likes of Lufthansa Technik, MCM, Comlux and DC Aviation, all renowned names in the aviation world. More recently, the Malese department of Civil Aviation has issued an air operator certificate to Carre Aviation Ltd. operating a CRJ 200 with 15 seats and Orion Malta Ltd. operating a Hawker 800. This legislation tackles a number of issues but primarly and of significant importance would be Malta's adoption of the Cape Town convention with regards to aircraft mortgage registration but again Malta on the forefront. This legislation also tackles important issues such as local representation, shared and frational ownership for residents and non residents both from the EU and non EU countries. Based on Malta's performance so far, its position of high standing with EASA, other important fiscal legislation all within the EU framework, Malta is expected to frow its register exponentially especially among business jet and general aviation aircraft owners, who want a cost effective, reputable aircraft registration within the EU framework.

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.

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.

Managing and Operating a Business Jet on the Maltese Register - Part 2

Air Operating Certificate.

Yesterday we sarted this series of articles investigating the Maltese legislation relative to operating a business jet using the Maltese infrastructure. in this post, Part 2 of this series, we will talk about the requisites to obtain an AOC.

Strictly speaking an owner who is operating his aircraft for his own use, will not require an AOC, as the aircraft will be operated in the private category, however this scenario can be very restrictive, as it is at best unclear whether employees of the owner and sub-contractors can legally use the aircraft, as it can be argued that the aircraft will be operated for gain, and hence an AOC will be required. Further more if the aircraft is given under management to a third party company, even if the aircraft is not available for third party charter, the third party company managing the aircraft must obtain an AOC. Simply put, an aircraft can be operated in the private category without an AOC, however to obtain an AOC, the company must also have an ASL. The applications for the AOC and ASL, should be submitted together to the Director of Maltese Civil Aviation. In order to apply for an AOC, a company must demonstrate ownership of an aircraft, or a lease agreement for an aircraft. An aircraft need not be registered to be operated by a Maltese AOC, however the registered aircraft must have a European Union and JAA country registration. The reverse is also true, ie a Maltese registered aircraft can be operated on a European Union and JAA AOC, however both of these scenarios are not preferred by the Maltese Department of Civil Aviation. Similar procedures are required by the company applying for an AOC as for company applying for an ASL. The process for obtaining an AOC, ASL and registration of aircraft should take from three to six months, subject to demonstrating to the Maltese Department of Civil Aviation full compliance to JAR OPS 1.

Managing and Operating a Business Jet on the Maltese Register - Part 1

In a number of articles we will try to identify why Malta can be an interesting avenue where one could register a business jet. The first part of these series of articles deals with a brief introduction about aviation in Malta and a brief outlook of the Maltese Fiscal system.

Having been a colony of Great Britain for 164 years (1800-1964), and then continued to serve as a base for Britain's Armed Forces for a further 15 years, Malta was introduced to the world of aviation from a very early start. From the construction of the first airfield to the ravages of World War Two, the build up for the Suez canal, through four hi-jacks, and on to today's Malta International Air show, Malta has seen almost all the uses an aircraft can be put to. The Malta Department of Civil Aviation records show that when the Maltese aircraft register was opened in 1969 introducing the Maltese register prefix 9H, the first aeroplane to be registered, 9H-AAA was in fact a Cessna 172. The next two aircraft on the register were also general aviation aircraft, as were many others that followed. The aircraft were largely owned and operated by Maltese general aviation pilots. Today, the local general aviation fleet includes a wider variety of aircraft types and categories ranging from microlights to single engine private planes and public category aircraft available for rental. A small fleet of training aircraft is operated by two flying schools.

Malta has an excellent climate, is strategically located at the centre of the Mediterranean and has one of the last 24 hour airports in the European Union. It has one of the longest runways in Europe with practically no slots issues. Local business and the Maltese government are only now starting to fathom that there could be a great potential for managing and operating business aviation aircraft from Malta, offering very competitive licencing fees, in an English speaking country in an EASA/JAA environment. This combined with excellent tax structures for foreign investors, whereby, although corporate tax is fixed at 35%, foreign shareholders are refunded 30% within 14 days.

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