Opposition transport spokesman Joe Mizzi yesterday called on the government to ensure the highest levels of security at the airport and to ensure that trained and capable security persons used for the purpose.
Speaking on the Aircraft Registration Bill, Mr Mizzi praised the initiatives taken to update the aviation legislation, stating this could not be seen without taking into consideration laws related to commerce and fiscal issues.
The Bill would guarantee coherence within the aviation sector and reflected a positive development for issues related to securities, call-ins and mortgages on aircraft. If it managed to provide an efficient aircraft registration system, the Bill would bring about economic growth.
Mr Mizzi said the registration system proposed by the Bill was analogous to the registration of vessels under the Merchant Shipping Act. The need to implement the Cape Town Convention was understandable as this facilitated research on securities provided on aircraft and engines and was in fact reflected in the laws of various jurisdictions, including that of the EU.
He commended the opening of a register for both private and commercial engines, stating that this would be economically beneficial especially if private engines were attracted for registration.
Mr Mizzi said one had to show a serious interest in the aviation sector and act responsibly. He spoke highly of the Department of Civil Aviation that had fulfilled its tasks seriously. He also lauded the formation of Air Malta as the national airline in 1973.
He criticised the decision taken in 1994 for Air Malta to buy a number of RJ70 aircraft, a decision that had landed the airline in turbulent times. Despite this Air Malta had implemented a number of initiatives such as the certificate of approval for the engineering facility, thereby enabling supervision and maintenance of aircraft, and also the joint venture agreement between Air Malta and Lufthansa Technik.
Security played an important role in the aviation sector and Malta must ensure that it was well prepared in this respect. He emphasised that from, its inception, Air Malta had been required to follow European standards and standards applicable to European operators in matters of security.
Mr Mizzi referred to the smooth resolution of the hijacking of an Air Malta aircraft which had been diverted to Germany from its original route to Turkey. He said it was only due to training in Malta that the aircraft had been allowed to land in Cologne.
The "simulated" hijack had shown up serious shortcomings in the airport security levels and also in the capabilities of members of staff. There was no one capable to act as negotiator and there was complete lack of control of the situation. If Malta was to offer a serious aircraft registration system it must necessarily take security issues seriously.
Concluding, Mr Mizzi referred to his role as past chairman of the Aviation Security Committee which had undertaken a process of scrutiny of all persons authorised to enter the airport. Although this had been done in a professional manner and without giving in to any political pressure, he had even been threatened with legal action.