In an island state whose economy is highly dependent upon tourism, civil aviation assumes paramount importance. Our airport is the prime gateway to the Maltese Islands for passenger travel, and we must therefore ensure that it operates in the safest and most efficient way possible.

The prime consideration in developing our air transportation system has always been safety but this has assumed greater significance now that the recent spate of aviation accidents has also created concerns about safety in the general public’s eye. Although aviation remains the safest mode of transport it is necessary to ensure that, as the demand for air travel increases, the incidence of accidents does not increase as well.

European aviation authorities, including those of Malta, are also increasing their ramp checks on foreign aircraft and currently report their findings to the Joint Aviation Authorities database. This ramp inspection programme will soon be taken over by the European Aviation Safety Agency. At present, the European Commission is finalising a draft regulation for the establishment and publication of a black list of unsafe carriers. Airlines considered unsafe will be banned from operating flights into European Community territory or have restrictions imposed on them. This will be done under common criteria and will be a marked improvement on the present system, which depends on the action of individual states.

I also note with satisfaction the increased attention being given to the client, that is the airline passenger. The welfare of passengers and their rights as end users has assumed new dimensions. One of the first actions in this area concerned the formulation of a code of conduct for computer reservation systems that ensures that unbiased information on flight availability and routing is available to the travelling public.

Legislation has also been enacted to deal with proper compensation when passengers are denied boarding, or worse still are involved in cases of flight cancellations (or long delays). The same legislation contains a mechanism for dealing with passenger complaints and claims which ensures that these can be handled with the minimum of delay and anxiety.

A proposed EU regulation is in the last stages of completion. This gives passengers the right to be informed about the identity of the air carrier on which they are travelling. It will give passengers the right to refuse to fly with a carrier in which they have no confidence by reason of information they have on that carrier’s safety status.

People with disability or with reduced mobility will also be receiving improved assistance when transiting European airports, and they will not be charged for this service. The airport authorities and the airlines will be responsible for ensuring a seamless service and setting appropriate standards. Costs will be spread over all travelling passengers and should therefore be minimal in amount.

Needless to say, apart from safety, security has also been given its due importance in this age when terrorism keeps raising its ugly head. In order to enhance security, the government commissioned the early installation and operation of a 100 per cent hold baggage screening system at the Malta International Airport – in fact Malta was one of the first countries to do this. These measures will help facilitate the movement of passengers and provide reassurance to the public that flying is a safe mode of travelling.

Finally, I should point out that we must not forget that passenger traffic nowadays is very price sensitive and if we want to increase tourist and airport passenger movement in Malta, our transportation system must be synchronised with the demands of the market. Furthermore, our airport must maintain its competitiveness, especially with respect to the airports of neighbouring states.

For this reason, the airport must be run in the most efficient manner possible with the minimum of cost and charges.

In our efforts to make air travel safer, more accessible and as convenient as possible, we must not underestimate the role of the airport authorities and operators.