UK-based Hangar8 has entered into a joint venture to establish a charter base in Malta, at Skyparks Business Centre at Luqa airport. It will initially own 49% of the new operator, named Maleth Aero, and will have an option to take a majority stake in the future.

Maleth Aero was granted its air operator certificate on January 20th, and publicly received its documentation in February during a ceremony at the airport attended by Hangar8 Malta ceo Michael O'Brien.

Hangar8, the world's largest charter operator of Hawker aircraft, has 17 other aircraft bases throughout Europe and in Africa and Asia.

"The benefits of the link with Malta are that the country has positioned itself as a service-oriented and tax efficient jurisdiction to own and operate aircraft and therefore will be seen as an attractive destination for new owners," says O'Brien. "The establishment of our joint venture with Hangar8 enables us to accelerate our original business plan by a couple of years."

Dustin Dryden, ceo of Hangar8 plc, adds: "This acquisition of a presence in the new corporate aviation market in Malta, at no cost to shareholders, illustrates the strength of the Hangar8 brand and allows us to participate in what we believe will become a significant aircraft register due to its location and its financial terms. Malta is now a very attractive destination for owners to register their aircraft, for whom we will provide the same high quality services, now including maintenance through our EASA 145 Approval, that we provide to owners elsewhere."

Malta's ambition is to develop its aviation sector in order to build one of the biggest aircraft registers in Europe as well as to explore and develop related areas such as aircraft maintenance, human resource training in the sector, aircraft management services and other support areas.

Dr Stanley Portelli, ceo of Transport Malta says: "We are proud to be associated with Hangar8 through their investment in Malta. Working with Michael and his team immediately gave us strong indications that we were dealing with a top-notch operator and we will endeavour to work on adding value to their business by being responsive and sensitive to their requirements."