New charter airline applies to replace BA routes
by NOEL GRIMA
A new charter airline based in Malta has applied to operate the Malta – Gatwick, and the Malta – Catania – Gatwick routes that used to be operated by British Airways as from 25 October, sources told this newspaper.
Efly, the new charter airline, will operate its aircraft on inclusive charters as well as on a wet-lease basis on behalf of other operators. Luigi Crispino, its fiery owner, who has been involved in a number of start-ups over the years, has decided to set up base in Malta after becoming aware of Malta’s great potential in the aviation sphere, he told this newspaper in an interview.
The Efly project was launched last January. Since then, a group of professionals headed by Mr Crispino, have been working incessantly to formally launch the company.
The first aircraft, a British Aerospace 146-300, has already arrived in Malta and has been registered as 9H-ELE.
The aircraft belongs to a Maltese leasing company, Aircraft Leasing Management (ALM), which has already bought a second aircraft that Efly will shortly add to its fleet.
ALM belongs to the Crispino family and a number of outside investors. It is also an asset management company, which is open to other investors, the company says.
The Malta-based company already has a contract in hand – to operate on behalf of what is described as a well-known Italian airline based in Bologna. Mr Crispino is awaiting the final certification papers to formally launch all flights. Efly is also planning a further expansion to its aviation activities in Malta.
The company has already been certified to carry out maintenance on its own aircraft and will offer its technical services to other operators. The Malta-based carrier is actively seeking Maltese personnel to employ at all levels. In fact, it has already recruited Frans Camilleri, former Corporate Group Head, Strategic Planning at Air Malta, to be its accounts manager.
Mr Camilleri is considered one of the leading aviation analysts in Malta and has spearheaded many projects at Air Malta, including the latest fleet renewal programme, which started in 2002.
Discussions are also taking place with MCAST to eventually take up to 30 students for the aircraft maintenance sector.
Lastly, Efly intends to intensify its relationship with Medavia. It is already using this company’s hangars to service its own aircraft.
independent.com.mt
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