PN calls for urgent solutions to aviation industry under pressure
'This is not a new issue, but a challenge that has been building over time'
The PN warned on Wednesday that the aviation sector was facing increasing operational challenges and called for urgent planning and solutions.
Recent developments affecting Visual Flight Routes (VFR) operations and training activity highlight a broader and long-standing issue: the continuous increase in aviation activity year after year requires serious immediate action, shadow minister for aviation Ivan Castillo said in a statement.
"The importance of foresight, planning and identifying trends is essential to ensure such situations are identified and planning to ensure they are addressed," he said.
The PN said in a statement that a Nationalist administration had ensured the expansion of the aviation sector, which continues to grow significantly. While this growth was positive and reflected Malta’s continuous attractiveness as an aviation hub, it was also creating operational pressure on existing runway infrastructure, limiting the number of aircraft movements that can be safely accommodated.
"This reality is now having direct and adverse effects on flight schools and operators who not only contribute to the aviation sector but also to the economy, who are being forced to reduce flight activity, delay training schedules, and absorb operational losses," Castillo said.
"These restrictions are not isolated, and they create a domino effect that impacts student progression, instructor availability, business sustainability, and ultimately Malta’s competitiveness in aviation training and services."
While safety must always remain the absolute priority, and any operational limitations introduced for safety reasons must be respected, safety cannot be used as a substitute for a lack of foresight and long-term planning, the party added.
PN's solutions:
• Strategic foresight and long-term planning
• Immediate engagement between authorities and all stakeholders
• Transparent communication and proper consultation processes
• Investment in infrastructure and resources to increase operational capacity
This is not a new issue, but a challenge that has been building over time, the PN said, calling for leadership, coordination, and a clear, forward-looking plan.
The PN urged the authorities to act with urgency, bring all stakeholders around the table, and together create concrete solutions that safeguard both the safety and the future of aviation in Malta.