Delegates from 17 countries will travel to Malta to attend the 128th regional meeting of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations next Sunday.

The meeting, held locally at the invitation of AOPA Malta, will discuss the numerous regulatory changes imposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency which are raising many issues across the European industry. It will be chaired by AOPA UK’s European Region senior vice-president and chief executive Martin Robinson.

The IAOPA is a non-profit federation of 71 autonomous, non-governmental, national general aviation organisations and which has represented international general aviation for nearly 50 years. In total, it represents more than 470,000 pilots who fly general aviation aircraft for business and as a means of personal transportation.

AOPA Malta president Pierre Travers Tauss said the committee is confident Maltese hospitality will contribute to making the event enjoyable and successful in attracting the much needed international exposure for Malta as a destination for the international general aviation community.

AOPA Malta was founded in 1991 to foster the interests of the island’s general aviation sector, the breeding ground for many career pilots, most of whom went on to join Air Malta, as well as many private pilots.

It regularly consults with the authorities and key stakeholders to improve safety and encourage information sharing.