There was a 21 per cent increase in the number of aircraft registered in Malta when compared to 2010, with 104 such aircraft now on the aviation register.

Progress is also being registered in promoting Malta as a base for air operating companies, with Transport Malta saying it was processing more than 30 requests from international business aviation operators.

“These positive results encourage us to work harder and invest additional resources to ensure Malta continues to secure more business from a sector that gives the country prestige, direct foreign revenue, employment and added value,” Transport Malta CEO Stanley Portelli said.

Efforts to restructure the civil aviation directorate continued throughout 2011, with investment in specialised personnel ensuring that Malta could provide the highest possible levels of safety required by the aviation industry.

Furthermore, several initiatives backed by legal and corporate professionals were held, targeting blue chip aviation companies in the private and business aviation sectors.