In the first half of 2018, Air Malta made a serious attempt to diversify its business and the establishment of the Air Malta Academy was seen as a potential revenue stream. While still in its infancy, the idea was pushed by then-Air Malta chairman Charles Mangion, who saw it as an opportunity for the ailing national airline.

The project was entrusted to Captain Eric Abela, who was a familiar face at both the old main building in Luqa and the Level 2 SkyParks. MAviO News caught up with Eric to talk about this stillborn project. He says the concept he devised was a holistic one that included pilot training, B1/2 aircraft mechanics and third-party certification courses for cabin crew. Originally from Żejtun and based in Hong Kong, the captain had left Air Malta to explore new avenues in the Far East. On his return, he wanted to get involved in the local aviation scene and embarked on a project to set up his own company called the Air Malta Academy, with the national airline receiving royalties in exchange for branding and other services. The concept is not entirely new and MAviO News has received information that Air Malta toyed with the idea as early as 2008/2009 and also around 2012, but these plans fizzled out.

Captain Abela insists the Air Malta Academy could have been a very successful project, particularly with Asian airlines looking to train their cadets in an EASA environment. He admitted that through his network he could see that there was keen interest in Air Malta Academy as a center of excellence for aviation education in the Mediterranean. He added that the CAAC distributed contracts totaling well over $25 million over a two-year period. The nascent Air Malta Academy, led by Flight Captain Eric Abela, was also considering introducing the island's first pay-to-fly concept, with the aim of giving prospective student pilots with no experience whatsoever the opportunity to obtain a frozen ATPL, an Airbus A320 type rating followed by 400 flight hours on the type. The structure he envisioned featured a CEO/Accountable Manager at the top, reporting directly to three appointed key individuals. This should include HOFT (Head of Flight Training), HOET (Head of Engineering Training), and HOFAT (Head of Flight Attendant Training). Trainers and other support staff should be recruited on an ad hoc basis.

Eric Abela proposed an 18-month timetable, with the Air Malta Academy to be housed in the old training centre. Plans have been drawn up for the complete renovation and expansion of the building. MAviO News managed to get access to some exclusive 3D images showing a modern facility with up to four simulator places surrounded by classrooms and other training equipment. Financial projections showed that the planned Air Malta Academy could bring in more than EUR XNUMX million per year before interest and taxes.

With the current pilot shortage and a nationwide debate over whether Air Malta will survive another year, the idea of ​​an Air Malta Academy could be a way to generate additional revenue while ensuring this iconic name stays in European aviation circles , modeled after the Pan Am Flight Academy.

This post was written by: Chris Cauchi / MAviO News