Practice Areas > Aviation & Shipping > Aircraft Registration
Overview
Due to Malta’s strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean, aviation becomes increasingly important to the Maltese economy and international trade. Having been a colony of Great Britain for over 160 years and having spent another 15 years serving as a military base for the British Armed Forces, Malta has been exposed to the aviation industry from a very early stage.
Chapter 503 of the Laws of Malta, the Aircraft Registration Act, is the main piece of legislation that sets the regulatory framework available in Malta for the registration of all aircraft, for aircraft mortgages and other aircraft related matters. This Act established Malta as a competitive jurisdiction for aviation as it became the first EU Member to accede to the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol following its accession by the European Union on the 6th April 2009. Malta’s status as a Member State ensures that it adheres to the standards of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) meaning that a certification granted by Maltese regulatory authorities represents strong evidence of airworthiness.
Aircraft operators registered in Malta may also take advantage of the liberalised access to commercial air traffic rights within the EU and are allowed market access to the traffic rights agreed with third countries by other EU Member States. Furthermore, Malta’s ratification of the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment ensures that the Maltese Aviation regulatory framework is in line with the latest developments on international asset-based financing which ensures that the particular needs of the aviation sector in Malta are met.
The Civil Aviation Directorate
The Regulating Entity
All aviation activities in Malta are regulated by the Civil Aviation Directorate (“CAD”) within Transport Malta (which is the authority which regulates transport in Malta) and does so on the basis of its membership in the following organisations:
- The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO);
- The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC);
- EUROCONTROL; and
- The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The CAD ensures that the Maltese air transport industry continues to be developed in a safe and efficient manner in order to serve the island’s needs and is responsible for:
- The safety of aircraft;
- Aircraft and aerodrome operators;
- Air navigation service providers;
- The licensing of aeronautical personnel; and
- The conclusion of international air services agreements.
How we can help
Gonzi & Associates, Advocates boasts qualified professionals who have accumulated several years of experience in this area and who are well-equipped to provide the following:
- Assistance to clients in registering their aircraft in Malta;
- Obtaining Air Operator’s Certificates and Air Operator’s Licences;
- Provide advice on asset financing, insurance and aircraft leasing;
- Assistance with the registration of security interests over aircrafts;
- Assistance with tax planning in the realm of aviation;
- Assistance with the sale & acquisition of aircrafts; and
- Assistance with disputes involving aircrafts before the Maltese Courts and arbitration tribunal.
The Process
Specialising
Lawyers
Sarah joined Gonzi & Associates, Advocates in 2018 as an Associate Lawyer and leads the Firm’s Gaming team. Her practice focuses on all aspects of iGaming law which includes assisting clients with the acquisition of gaming licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority and follow-up assistance once the licence has been issued. The latter entails advising clients as regards their regulatory obligations, the drafting and review of all relevant agreements and the provision of assistance with respect to fees and taxation, employment issues and anti-money laundering and data protection compliance.
Sarah also forms part of the Employment team within the firm, advising clients in Malta, both employers and employees, on employment law-related matters. Sarah’s other practice areas include Maritime Law, Commercial Law and Corporate Law.
Sarah was awarded her warrant to practice as an Advocate before the Courts of Malta in 2018. She graduated as Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta in 2017 after duly submitting her doctoral thesis entitled ‘Wrongful Arrest of Ships’. Sarah has also achieved a Professional Award in Taxation (MQF Level 6) from the Malta Institute of Taxation.
Education
2019: Professional Award in Taxation (MQF Level 6), Malta Institute of Taxation
2017: Doctor of Laws, University of Malta
2015: Diploma of Notary Public, University of Malta
2014: Bachelor of Laws, University of Malta
Professional Membership
The Chamber of Advocates, Malta