Air traffic controllers have created specific corridors for military aircraft to pass through the airspace controlled by Malta without disrupting civilian traffic according to top officials at Malta Air Traffic Services.

Chief operations officer Robert Sant this morning said that since the start of Nato air strikes in Libya five months ago, Maltese air controllers have been in constant contact with Nato to create these corridors and zones for air to air refuelling.

Malta's flight information region spans the central Mediterranean from Tunisia to Crete and military aircraft involved in sorties over Libya would have to pass through this airspace.

"We have been working very well with Nato and this enabled us not to disrupt civilian air traffic in the airspace controlled by Malta," Mr Sant said.

He explained that the coordination required for military aircraft was more intensive and sensitive because of the nature of the craft.

He said Malta's role was to ensure safe passage of military aircraft through the flight information region. It did not go into the mission these aircraft were involved in.

Mr Sant was speaking during a visit by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at Malta Air Traffic Services this morning.

Dr Gonzi was shown around by former army commander Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, CEO of Malta Air Traffic Services.

At the end of the visit, Dr Gonzi thanked the controllers for the work they perform especially during the Libya crisis, which entailed high levels of professionalism and technical knowhow to ensure there was no disruption in civilian air traffic.

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