Subgroups
Aviation Stakeholders Forum
Launched on 14th April 2021, the Aviation Stakeholders Forum is a common platform open to all stakeholders involved in the aviation sector in Malta. The Forum is targeted to stimulate and strive for better coordination and cooperation between all the aviation stakeholders, both public and private. Its objectives are to consult and be consulted by the government in developing public policies that can have a bearing on the Maltese aviation sector and to allow all stakeholders to interact and communicate on their synergies and common interests.
The Forum holds a number of events that are open to all stakeholders of the Maltese aviation sector. In addition, from time to time, it also calls on particular cluster/s of stakeholders to discuss pertinent issues related to their core business function, either on its own initiative or following a formal request from stakeholders.
Watch the recording of the 1st webinar of the Aviation Stakeholders Forum
National Aviation Policy
One of the main priorities of the Aviation Advisory Committee was to develop a holistic National Civil Aviation Policy which incorporates the elements of safety, high quality, reliability, competitiveness, and sustainability in the areas of economic growth, connectivity, entrepreneurship, employment, consumer protection, as well as in research and innovation.
Malta’s first Civil Aviation Policy 2023-2030 was launched on 18th January 2023. This Policy identifies five broad medium to long-term strategic pillars targeted to address the current needs of the aviation sector in Malta and prepare for the future needs and opportunities that this sector offers. These overarching strategic pillars will be realised through the implementation of the sub-tactical objectives. Altogether these objectives will ensure that the Maltese aviation industry retains its position as a globally renowned player, while ensure its sustainable growth.
Sustainable Aviation
This subgroup aims to ensure that all recommendations put forward by the AAC incorporate the necessary elements that allow the Maltese aviation industry to develop sustainably. Hence, particular emphasis is being placed on the socio-economic and environmental concerns of an Island State with one international airport and an extensive flight information region.
Aviation is essential for economic growth. Its carbon-based fuels are of an issue; therefore, particular attention is being placed on environmental aspects and the fulfilment of climate change obligations and goals.
Having identified all the important national and international commitments Malta has signed up to, as well as Malta’s own environmental and sustainability goals, the subgroup has looked at all potential carbon emission reduction activities which could be implemented in either the shorter term (up to end of this decade) or in the longer term (by 2050). Practical recommendations have been developed to fit into the local context were subsequently included in the National Civil Aviation Policy 2023-2030.
HR and Economic Assessments
Throughout the past months, the HR and economic subgroup sought to establish guidelines to measure the impact of the growing aviation sector in Malta.
The aviation sector has grown rapidly over the years, and it is only now that efforts are being made to truly assess its economic impact and establish its real contribution to the local economy. It is crucial to understand the optimum level of activities and wealth that the sector can create, and which activities are best suited to Malta’s economic, geographic, and social dimensions, in order to keep the aviation sector sustainable for years to come.
The government has identified the aviation sector as one of the pillars of growth. However, it is an accepted fact that the sector can only grow if it is supported by a well-trained workforce. A study has been undertaken to accurately measure for the first time the direct and indirect employment in the aviation sector and to identify the skills- shortfalls we may have which could become a barrier to growth in the medium to long term. Furthermore, the subgroup, through the aviation stakeholders’ forum is working closely with public and private stakeholders to identify viable ways and measures to ease out the skills gaps that many aviation stakeholders face.
Access the full report: HR Report
Airport Zone Strategic Plan (AZSP)
One of the key strategic objectives of the National Civil Aviation Policy is to optimise the use of resources within the Airport Zone. The primary objective of the AZSP is to address the re-organization and development of the operational setup within and nearby the airport boundaries, and the regeneration of currently underutilized sites into a high quality, sustainable commercial aviation clusters including potential relocation of current to elsewhere to make space for other side activities. This subgroup has built up on the outcome of a first line of stakeholder consultation exercise conducted during the period 2018 and 2019., and subsequently provided a recommendation to the responsible Ministries.
In addition, the subgroup is working closely with the MATS and the INDIS to optimising the disused areas that are owned by the Government to the necessities of the various stakeholders in particular with regard to aircraft parking spaces.
Gozo Airstrip
Following the Committee’s recommendation to regenerate the Gozo airfield into an eco-friendly and sustainable airstrip for both short landing and take-off aircraft and vertical landing and take-off aircraft to the Ministry for Transport and the Ministry for Gozo, the Government has given its green light for such project. This regeneration is vital to accommodate the ever-growing demand for general aviation operations and to further enhance the connectivity between the two islands.
This project has now been entrusted to the Gozo Regional Development Authority (GRDA) to oversee its implementation.
Access the Gozo Rural Airfield Outcome Statement: Gozo-Rural-Airfield-Outcome-Statement-July-2022.pdf (grda.mt)
Consolidation of National Aviation Law
The work of the sub-group responsible for the Consolidation on National Aviation Law is to provide advice to the Aviation Advisory Committee, based on industry feedback towards an efficient and effective legal framework in view of national interest and policies.
The works and objectives of this sub-group include, amongst others, the harmonization of efforts by public stakeholders to enact effective national aviation law; ensure adherence of national aviation law with international aviation law, European Union law, industry standards and recommended practices for the safe and orderly development of the Maltese civil aviation; provide regulatory guidelines to the Aviation Advisory Committee and its sub-groups; advice on aviation law that is either obsolete or superseded by European Union Law or by other national law; consolidate national aviation law to provide the Government of Malta with the necessary tools to promote, regulate and facilitate aviation for all aviation stakeholders as well as Malta’s airspace users.
Research and Innovation
This sub-group is discussing and coordinating the national efforts towards the advancement of the Malta Drone Innovation Ecosystem and the pipeline of interested companies that plan to advance or start their operations in Malta. This includes sharing updates on the work being done by Malta Enterprise, Transport Malta, MATS, and other government authorities in enhancing recreational and professional UAV operations and making the needed facilities available. Such facilities are meant to provide the required plug and play opportunities for different types of drone operations. The sub-group will also discuss the readiness and conditions expected by Government authorities to allow for more complex flights and operations in the future.
The Drones sub-group might also consider advocating collaborations with the private sector toward the needed infrastructure/ systems to advance the ecosystem. This will lead to drafting an initial vision document to be included in the revised National Aviation policy. This would be followed up with a suggested action plan.
Furthermore, this subgroup is liaising with relevant public and private stakeholders not only to advance research and innovation within the sector but also to ensure the promotion and the provision of the necessary support to new and emerging aviation niches, including but not limited to aircraft leasing, artificial intelligence and digitalisation and the remotely piloted aircraft systems.
