Maltese aircraft registry grew at the fastest rate in the EU in 2015

Data published last week by Eurostat shows that Malta’s aircraft registry grew the fastest in 2015, when compared to other EU member states.

According to the European Union’s statistics office, Malta added 39 planes to its register, a 37% increase. Hungary’s register grew at the second fastest rate (20%) and Greece (14%).

In fact, Malta’s register has been among the top three fastest growing registers since 2011.

In 2015, the UK had the largest share of registered aircraft, at 1,262.

When contacted, a spokesperson for the Transport Ministry confirmed that the latest figure stood at 270 aircraft, with 2015 having been seen the addition of a record 61 aircraft.

“Malta has become the jurisdiction of choice for several operators,” added the spokesperson. “35 companies have made Malta their principal base of business.”

This, said the ministry, was down to the efficiency of local regulatory authorities and the legal framework regulating the sector.

“A revised registration act and the fact that Malta is a signatory of the Cape Town convention gives them confidence,” added the spokesperson.

The Cape Town Treaty is an international treaty intended to standardise transactions of movable property, like aircraft.

The absolute majority of aircraft on the Maltese registry are business jets, which operate global air taxi networks, the spokesperson said.