Malta hosted this year’s European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) meeting, bringing to Malta all Director Generals for Aviation from all of the 44 European nations, delegates from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and ECAC, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Euro-control and also the European Commission.
Addressing the participants, Minister Aaron Farrugia said that ICAO’s principle of ‘No nation left behind’ should not merely be a slogan but a foundational ethos, covering every nuance of the sector. “It is essential that we lend an ear to each member, recognising and respecting our differences. For an island like Malta, air connectivity is not a luxury, but a necessity. Given our history with aviation, tracing back to 1915, and the significant shift from military to commercial in the 70s, today our skies teem with activity, solidifying aviation as an economic cornerstone.”
He said that this industry is more than just transport for Malta; it is a lifeblood. It spurs our socio-economic growth, creating jobs, bolstering tourism, and acting as a conduit for foreign investments and trade. Aviation, with its annual contribution of €600 million to our economy and the transportation of millions of passengers, has long been a fundamental pillar of our nation’s prosperity.
ICAO and ECAC, which is the European Branch, discuss all aspects of aviation and formulate policy which is then applied throughout the world. This allows aircraft and operators from practically every country in the world to operate with the same or similar standards.
Transport Malta Civil Aviation Director General Capt. Charles Pace said that it is an honour to host his fellow European DGs and to have the Secretary General also present.
Photos: DOI, MTIP
