Aero - New Maltese aircraft register
Changes are underway in Malta to update local civil aviation legislation in order to accommodate the registration and the operation of business jet and turboprop aircraft.
The Maltese aircraft register was first established in the 1960s. Since that time aircraft of all types have been registered in Malta; including the Boeing and Airbus aircraft of the island’s national carrier, Air Malta.
The register is able to accept aircraft that are operated privately or for corporate use and also for ‘hire and reward’ purposes such as third party charter.
An aircraft registered in Malta must bear the nationality mark "9H" followed by the registration mark which is a group of three capital letters; for example, “9H-JET”.
The Department of Civil Aviation is thus responsible for the safety and licensing of aircraft, aircraft and aerodrome operators and air navigation service providers, aeronautical personnel and the conclusion of international air services agreements.
With effect from the 1st January, 2010 the Department of Civil Aviation, the Malta Transport Authority and the Malta Maritime Authority will merge into a single governmental body when the new aviation legislation is introduced.
The draft legislation introduces innovative concepts to make the Maltese aircraft register competitive such as adopting the national implementing legislation of the provisions of the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and the Aircraft Protocol.
The draft legislation also pays specific consideration towards fractional ownership and the ownership of aircraft by trustees in addition to creating the possibility to register an aircraft while it is still under construction when it becomes uniquely identifiable.
Safehaven established an office in Malta during 2008 and is fully licensed in Malta by the Malta Financial Services Authority. Safehaven’s experience of registering private and corporate jet aircraft in other jurisdictions, notably, the Isle of Man, means that it is well placed to participate in the registration of aircraft on this new register.
