Karmenu Vella launches 'badly-needed' civil aviation policy

Citing the lack of synergy between stakeholders as the main stumbling block towards Malta maximising its aviation potential, Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella launched a "much-needed" civil aviation policy that seeks to implement concrete and "top-down" measures.

"Aviation is one of the main contributors to Malta's economic growth. In light of the shortcomings that are currently hindering operations, the new civil aviation policy seeks to implement a roadmap over a long term in order to exploit Malta's potential improve operations."

The new civil aviation policy would be setting up  a civil aviation authority that in turn would be tasked with regulating and issuing licenses and to act as a national supervisory authority. The authority would also seek to implement widespread consultation with all relevant stakeholders, which according to the ministers is "fundamental to improve operations."

While bemoaning the lack of consultation and communication between stakeholders and operators, Vella also stressed that the government needs to make better use of the "disregarded" lands surrounding the airport to satisfy demand and improve operations.

"As a result of some of state-owned lands being abandoned or leased out, some of which for long periods of time, the government cannot satisfy the demand of operators to open hangars and improve operations. Moreover the policy seeks to regulate decisions via consultation as sometimes, the decisions of stakeholders hinder rather than improve operations."

Addressing stakeholders within the civil aviation industry this morning at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Vella insisted that this is not an aviation plan but merely a policy.

The policy is not cast in stone and consequently, subject to the cooperation of stakeholders and changes in trends, policies and demands, the aviation authority could change the plan accordingly. The tourism ministry will not be implementing the plan but on the other hand, the aviation authority would be implementing the policies. "

The new policy also explained that advanced planning is in hand for enhancing the facilities in Gozo's aviation services, citing the need to re-establish adequate communication by air between the two main islands.

"Due to the airport's lack of human resources and land, the policy will also see the launch of the airport zone master plan, which would aim to intertwine all airport workers and stakeholders," Alfred Quintano, spokesperson for the aviation advisory committee said.

"The policy would entail the cooperation of several ministries, especially in the implementation of aviation security issues."

Quintano stressed that the civil aviation policy will act upon vast consultation with all relevant stakeholders including the government, MEPA, airport operators and the public.

"The policy will maximise trade facilitation as well as the air fright sector which could benefit from greater collaboration between the various operators."

Bemoaning the situation under previous governments, Quintano argued that the general and business aviation sector was marginalised in one corner of the airport and subsequently, the aviation policy would seek to improve facilities.