A top delegation from Hi Fly in Portugal (www.hifly.aero ), a world player in aircraft wet lease operations, travelled to Malta on 14 February 2013 for a meeting with officials from Transport Malta  to officially hand over their application to obtain an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for its sister company, Hi Fly Ltd in Malta.

Landing at Luqa International Airport on a Hi Fly aircraft, the 16-strong delegation included Paulo Mirpuri, President of the Hi Fly Group, and Sergio Bagorro, CFO of the Group as well as a number of future post holders in Malta.

Paulo Mirpuri said he looked forward to Hi Fly Ltd being a part of the local economy and that when evaluating as number of jurisdictions for the expansion of their business, Hi Fly chose Malta, not only due to the incentives and robust legislative framework available to the aviation industry but based also on the reputation and pro-business approach of the Malta regulator, and of course on the sense of warmth and welcome that was evident.

Amongst those present from Transport Malta was CEO Stanley Portelli, and Ian Falzon, Chief Officer of the Civil Aviation Directorate. Dr. Portelli commented that Malta has in the last few years been working hard to attract world players in the aviation industry especially with the legislative changes in 2010 and the incentives offered in this sector and he was happy and proud to see companies like Hi Fly identifying the benefits that Malta had to offer. Officials from Transport Malta were also pleased with the extreme professionalism, preparedness and dedication shown by Hi Fly in order to obtain its AOC.

Once Hi Fly Ltd obtains its AOC, this should see the phasing in of the first of a number of wide-bodied aircraft under the Maltese aviation registry.

It is intended for Hi Fly Ltd to have a dedicated team in Malta and the company was already shortlisting offices to rent and apart from bringing over a dedicated team of expats, it will shortly be beginning a recruitment process for the required ground personnel and air crew.

Hi Fly is assisted in Malta by E&S Consultancy Ltd.