Royal Netherlands Navy HNLMS De Zeven Provincien in Valletta Port

The Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provincien-class frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provincien (F 802) has sailed into Valletta Port (for the second time in 2015) this morning on a courtesy visit and to disembark the Armed Forces of Malta's Special Duties Enhanced Boarding Team (SDEBT), consisting of three officers and 19 other ranks, picked up during her visit on May 11th. The Dutch frigate has just completed a three-month assignment with the E.U. Naval Force Somalia - Operation Atalanta. 

The Dutch frigate is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-3 wharf. She's has on board an NH-90 NFH helicopter, serial N-233. HNLMS De Zeven Provincien is expected to sail from Malta on Saturday, August 30th. (27-Aug-2014)

Russian Navy RFS Yaroslav Mudry in Valletta Port

The Russian Navy Neustrashimyy-class frigate RFS Yaroslav Mudry (727) has sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit.

RFS Yaroslav Mudry has a Kamov Ka-27 helicopter on board, serial 42 'Yellow' (RF-34177).

The Russian frigate is currently berthing alongside at Pinto-4/5 wharf, and she's expected to sail from Malta on Tuesday, August 26th. (24-Aug-2014)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register update

Transport Malta/Directorate of Civil Aviation published today the latest update of the Maltese Aircraft Register.

New addition/s: 

• 9H-MAK - Dassault Falcon 7X (c/n. 114), registered to Hyperion Aviation Ltd. (ex G-UMKA)

Cancellation/s: 

• 9H-AGE - Airbus ACJ321-211 (c/n. 5538), registered to Comlux Malta Ltd.

(Source: Transport Malta, 22-Aug-2014)

Malta-based Air X adds two B735s to its fleet

Malta-based air charter company airX has added two 44-seat Boeing 737-500 aircraft to its fleet. They are configured for executive business charter for larger groups such as government delegations, football teams and bands, company chairman J.B. Matthews said today.

Speaking during the launch of the 2014 Malta International Airshow 2014, of which airX is the title sponsor, Mr Matthews  said the company had signed Southampton FC as a client for the B735s for the forthcoming football season. 

"airX is increasingly becoming the air charter operator of choice for more and more A-list celebrities and VIPs. At the last count, our famous passenger list totalled over 100 celebrities and VIPs," he said. (Source: timesofmalta.com, 21-Aug-2014)

Rep. of Korea Navy ROKS Munmu the Great in Valletta Port

Republic of Korea Navy Chunmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great (976) has sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) with evacuees from Libya.

ROKS Munmu the Great has a Westland Lynx Mk.99 on board, serial 90-0702.

The South Korean destroyer is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-4/5, and she's expected to sail from Malta on Tuesday, August 19th. (17-Aug-2014)

Jet 2 to operate Glasgow-Malta service from next summer

British low-cost airline Jet2 has announced it will operate a Malta-Glasgow service as from summer next year. The airline also announced new services from Glasgow to Prague, Cyprus and Antalya in Turkey. Jet2 is a subsidiary of the Dart Group PLC. It operates Boeing 737-800s and Boeing 757-200s. (Source: timesofmalta.com, 13-Aug-2014)

Italy's Guardia Costiera confirms participation at 2014 Malta International Airshow

The Guardia Costiera Italiana officially known as The Italian Corps of the Port Captaincies and Italian Coast Guard to some of us, has confirmed that an AugustaWestland AW-139 helicopter shall participate in this year's edition of the airX Malta International Airshow with a static display. 

The AgustaWestland AW139 is a 15-seat medium sized twin-engined helicopter developed and produced principally by AgustaWestland. The Guardia Costiera AW139 role is that of Search and Rescue. The Italian Coast Guard has 4 Aw139's, with deliveries taking place between July 2010 and February 2011. (Source: maltairshow.com, 13-Aug-2014)

Air Malta secures its European AOC

Air Malta has announced it has secured its European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-sanctioned Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Maltese Civil Aviation Directorate of Transport. All European-based carriers are expected to have secured their respective EASA AOCs by Oct. 28th of this year.

"The extensive process for applying and obtaining regulatory approval involved a gap analysis between the current and new legislation. In order to comply with the new Regulations and transition to an EASA AOC, Air Malta was required to perform a thorough review of all policies and procedures," Air Malta said.

Among the certification's new measures is the introduction of a Safety Management System (SMS), which replaces the current Accident Prevention and Flight Safety Programme. The airline says it introduced SMS earlier this year in winter and in the process changed its safety processes and held appropriate SMS training for its entire workforce. (Source: ch-aviation.com, 12-Aug-2014)

Royal Navy HMS Ramsey and HMS Quorn in Valletta Port

Two Royal Navy mine countermeasure vessels HMS Ramsey (M 110) and HMS Quorn (M 41) - a Sandown-class and a Hunt-class respectively - have sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit.

The two British MCMVs are presently berthing alongside each other at Pinto-5 wharf, and they're are expected to sail from Malta on Monday, August 11th. (8-Aug-2014)

Ryanair's Malta-bound flight from Madrid diverts to Trapani

A Ryanair Boeing B737-800 (EI-ENP), operating flight FR-5383 from Madrid-Barajas to Malta Int'l Airport, had to divert to Trapani in Sicily this afternoon after a passenger fell sick on board. The flight was due at Malta IAP at 1311lt. The flight then continued to Malta IAP landing at 1452lt.

WizzAir to start Warsaw-Malta service in April 2015

WizzAir on Wednesday announced planned expansion at Warsaw Chopin Airport in 2015, which sees the introduction of 5th based aircraft and 8 new routes. Amongst the planned new routes is the launching of a weekly flight between Warsaw and Malta IAP with effect from Apr. 5th, 2015. (Source: WizzAir, 6-Aug-2014)

M.I.A. plc releases traffic results for July 2014

Malta IAP hosted a record 511,243 passengers in July, marking an increase of 8.5% when compared to the same month last year.

These figures reinforce M.I.A. plc's decision to revise its forecast for the rest of the year. CEO M. Klaushofer announced last week that the aiRport was now expecting a year-on-year growth of 4.2%, revised from 2% originally forecast in January. This followed six record months which accounted for more than 1.8 million passenger movements.

July's figures were due to an overall seat capacity increase of 8.2% and a 0.2% increase in seat load factor, reaching 82.8% for the month. Aircraft movements for the month rose by 8.2%.

Traffic from the U.K. grew by 9.4% in July, as a result of the increased capacity to and from London-Gatwick. Traffic from Italy and France rose by 15% and 19.9% respectively, due to further growth in these markets over the July period. Traffic to and from Germany increased by 6.1%. (Source: maltairport.com, 5-Aug-2014)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register update

Transport Malta/Directorate of Civil Aviation published today the latest update of the Maltese Aircraft Register.

New addition/s: 

• 9H-OME - Boeing B737-505 (c/n. 24274/2035), registered to Air X Charter Ltd. (ex N274EL)

Cancellation/s: none

(Source: Transport Malta, 6-Aug-2014)

Air Malta to launch scheduled services to Djerba, Tunisia

Air Malta will introduce scheduled services to Djerba airport in Tunisia with effect from this Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. This decision was taken due to increased passenger demand from this airport due to the situation in Libya. The Air Malta flights will be operated twice weekly every Thursday and Sunday till Oct. 23, 2014. (Source: Air Malta, 6-Aug-2014)

AFM inaugurates their new twin engine AW-139 helo

The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) this morning proudly inaugurated their new twin engine AW-139 helicopter (AS1428) at Air Wing Base, Luqa.  

Following an inspection of the Honour Guard, AFM Commander Brig. J. Curmi addressed those present. He said that "The acquisition of the AW-139 is a milestone in Malta's Military aviation history. This new rotary wing aircraft will increase safety standards for AFM personnel and provide superior capabilities for night operations and poor weather conditions."

The Hon. Dr E. Mallia, Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, expressed deep satisfaction with this project and said that "this is not only proof of the government's commitment towards the AFM but is also indicative of Malta's border and security policy." Dr Mallia also mentioned the operational advantages of possessing an air asset of such high caliber and took the opportunity to thank the families of military personnel that work on these assets around the clock.

The AW-139 costed around 15 million Euros and was purchased with the help of E.U. funds through the External Border Control with a co-financing rate of 75% E.U. funds and 25% National Funds.  This is the first of two aircraft which have been purchased by the AFM with the second helicopter expected in December. (Source: Armed Forces of Malta)

Royal Navy HMS Enterprise in Valletta Port

The Royal Navy Echo-class survery vessel HMS Enterprise (H 88) sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning around 0550lt carrying 93 persons evacuated from Libya - mostly Britons, a number of Irish and Danish nationals and a Norwegian.

This HMS Enterprise's third visit in Valletta Port this year. Her first visit was from 18th to 22nd July, and the second on 4th August after evacuating 110 Britons and a small number of Irish and German workers from Libya.

HMS Enterprise is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-4 wharf, and she's expected to sail from Malta on Sunday, August 10th. (6-Aug-2014)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register update

Transport Malta/Directorate of Civil Aviation published today the latest update of the Maltese Aircraft Register.

New addition/s: 

• 9H-AGI - ATR 72-212A (c/n. 808), registered to Roque Nublo Ltd. (ex EC-KUR)

Cancellation/s: none

(Source: Transport Malta, 5-Aug-2014)

Two Turkish Navy training ships in Valletta Port

Two Turkish Navy training ships TCG Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasha (A 579) and TCG Sokullu Mehment Pasha (A 577) have sailed in Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit.

TCG Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasha (A 579) is ex German Navy Rhein-class type-401 tender FGS Elbe (A 61). TCG Sokullu Mehment Pasha (A 577) is ex German Navy Mosel-class type-402 tender FGS Isar (A 54).

Both training ships are berthing alongside each other at Wine wharf, and they're expected to sail from Malta on Wednesday, August 6th. (3-Aug-2014)

Hellenic Navy HS Ikaria in Valletta Port

The Hellenic Navy Jason-class landing ship HS Ikaria (L 175) has sailed into Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) this morning on an informal visit.

The Greek landing ship is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-4/5 wharf, and she's expected to sail from Malta on Monday, August 4th. (2-Aug-2014)