Air Malta is to introduce an iPad-based electronic flight bag in the cockpit that will provide pilots with one-touch access to up-to-date flight information, maps, and other crucial navigation tools.

Air Malta will be one of the first airlines in the world to use such advanced technology in the cockpit.

The iPads will help the airline to transition to a fully paperless cockpit where essential information will be available the moment it is required.

The system is intended to reduce pilot workload, increase situational awareness in flight, lower operating costs through reduced fuel consumption based on weight savings and help Air Malta reduce its carbon emissions and become more environmentally friendly.

A typical paper based pilot flight bag weighs around 25 kilos. The removal of this weight from onboard each flight will reduce the airline annual fuel bill, the airline said.

Eventually, Air Malta pilots will also be able to download weather information and submit flight reports through the iPad.

“Air Malta has always been at the forefront to provide its pilots with the latest upgrades in flight planning and operational tools and systems,” said Capt. Mark Micallef Eynaud, Air Malta’s Chief Officer Flight Operations.