Air Malta has become one of the latest carriers to transition to a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) air operator’s certificate (AOC).
Under new European regulations, developed by EASA, all commercial air transport operators must switch to an EASA AOC by October 28th. The change was originally due to come into force from October 2012, but all European Union states postponed implementation for two years, leading to the 2014 deadline.
UK leisure carrier Monarch Airlines announced earlier in August it had completed all requirements for an EASA AOC, one of the first UK airlines to do so.
“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 in a statement.
The Maltese carrier described the process as “extensive” and said the main change involved a switch from the current Accident Prevention and Flight Safety Program to a Safety Management System (SMS).
“Air Malta introduced SMS over last winter, and in the process changed its safety processes and held appropriate SMS training for its entire workforce. SMS is a powerful tool in enhancing safety within an airline,” it said.
Air Malta gains EASA AOC approval
