The Transport Ministry is aiming to expand the aviation register by a further 85 aircraft by the end of the year, Transport Minister Ian Borg said on Thursday.

Malta currently has 315 registered aircraft, with authorities seeking to have 400 aircraft registered by the end of 2019, he said. There are currently 35 companies which have their Air Operator Certificates issued by Malta, Dr Borg added, saying he hoped to increase the number to 40 by the end of the year.

The transport minister was speaking at the Transport Malta offices in Lija, where he presented charter airline SmartLynx with its Air Operator Certificate. 

Malta has signed aviation agreements with Japan, South Korea, Ghana and the Ivory Coast, he said, adding work was also underway towards agreements with South America. 

The aviation sector provides over 3,200 jobs, and the government is committed to creating more, Dr Borg added.

"This success did not happen on its own," he said, thanking the Civil Aviation Directorate for their work. 

"Today we are here witnessing the hard work being carried out to continue strengthening our connectivity."  

"We are here because we want to continue seeing growth in the aviation sector, which is another pillar of the economy that contributes to 2.5% of our country’s Gross Domestic Product," he added.