European Airshow Council holds its convention in Malta

by Gozo News · March 4, 2016

The Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis this morning addressed the European Airshow Council.

During his address the Minister showed appreciation to the European Airshow Council for selecting Malta as the venue for their 2016 Convention. "This is a great achievement for our country to host a prestigious convention within its successful MICE industry, a segment that has been recognised as an important and lucrative component of Malta's overall tourism offer."

The Minister remarked that Malta boasted a long and interesting tradition as regards to the organisation of air shows and extended gratitude to the volunteers of the Malta Aviation Society who have kept this annual event a fixed appointment for the pleasure of avid aviation enthusiasts for the past 23 years.

Moreover, the Minister declared that this event was now firmly entrenched in Malta's calendar of events and it represented another quality event on the annual calendar that is being offered as part of the touristic product and was also in line with Government's policy of making the island a truly year-round destination thereby increasing its attractiveness during all year round.

He said that this event was closely and directly linked to the aviation sector, and nowhere more than in a destination like Malta, with its 99% dependence on aviation as the means of transporting its tourism inflows, was the link between tourism and the aviation sector more pronounced.

Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis said that last year our country celebrated a major milestone, namely the first centenary of aviation in Malta, he remarked how this centenary was an important occasion to reflect on the different achievements which shaped the history of Maltese aviation, and to appreciate the importance that this sector has assumed, also in terms of major economic benefits, for our country.

"The Government has been taking a very proactive and dynamic approach towards the aviation sector in Malta. We have identified aviation clusters such as aircraft operations, maintenance, training, leasing and aircraft financing, that all contribute towards giving us a further competitive advantage, and from which our economy can benefit through increased revenue, and quality employment opportunities for the Maltese workforce, " stated the Minister for Tourism.

Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis outlined that the Ministry has been constantly collaborating very closely with the industry stakeholders in order to bridge academia with investors in particular niches, among them is Aerospace.

Moreover, he stated that his ultimate objective was the formulation of a comprehensive aviation strategy for Malta and explained that aerospace innovation, practical research, the possibility of flight test facilities, and further assistance to the national aviation industry are all being carefully assessed in the development of this strategy, as are the challenges that this important and exciting industry continues to face.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis highly commended the Council for its major focus on safety during this Convention, stating that air shows and aerial events, though highly popular, still were under great scrutiny in terms of safety and security.