Navigating turbulence, building resilient skies

The fifth edition of the Deloitte Aviation Conference was convened on 17 April 2026. Malta’s key aviation stakeholders debated how to balance growth with operational resilience, economic viability, and strategic positioning. As global events continue to pose challenges, supply chain vulnerabilities persist and tourism pressures intensify across Mediterranean destinations, the conference brought together policy makers, industry leaders, and aviation professionals to examine how the country can navigate these interconnected challenges while strengthening itself as a hub for aviation in the longer term.

Setting the stage: Industry challenges and opportunities

Deloitte Malta CEO, Marc Alden, opened the conference by highlighting the critical importance of the aviation industry as a cornerstone of Malta’s economy.

Alden recalled the industry's challenges including geopolitical tensions, fuel security, potential airspace closures, sustainability and cybersecurity challenges, and changing passenger expectations.

Regarding the connections between tourism and aviation, Alden flagged the collective desire for tourists to have a great experience and come back, for business to prosper, and for locals to see their standard of living improve.

Government vision and strategic direction

Hon. Dr. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, set the strategic context. With 90 percent of tourist arrivals coming by air, he stressed the importance of route development and year-round accessibility, articulating a vision centred on sustainable growth and long-haul expansion.

Hon. Dr. Mario de Marco, Shadow Minister for Tourism and the National Airline, outlined a three-pillar strategy centred on product quality, effective marketing, and accessibility with Hon. Ivan Castillo, Shadow Minister for Employment, the Maritime Sector and Aviation, suggesting potential further investments that would help exploit the potential of the aviation sector.

The quality of “Product Malta”

This engaging panel addressed a core challenge: capturing increased value for all stakeholders in the context of exponential growth in tourism arrivals. Moderated by David Delicata, Transportation, Hospitality & Services leader at Deloitte Malta, brought together Alan Borg, CEO, Malta International Airport plc, David Curmi, Executive Chairman, KM Malta Airlines, David O’Brien, CEO, Malta Air, and Carlo Micallef, CEO, Malta Tourism Authority, to address that pressing question.

Tourist spending has typically increased by only 0.5 percent per year in real terms, far short of Malta's 2050 targets. Key imperatives include improving accommodation and service quality, enhancing authenticity and cultural richness, addressing infrastructure deficiencies (traffic, public transport), and ensuring natural and cultural assets are protected and maintained.

Rising fuel costs and supply chain vulnerabilities continue to present challenges. Specific concerns included fuel availability at connecting hubs, the impact of European emissions trading schemes on competitiveness, and operational readiness for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) at Malta International Airport. A positive development to note is the introduction of new long-haul flights from North America, with perhaps further long-haul connectively to follow.

Industry perspectives and regulatory evolution

Daniel Galea, representing the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, explained the chamber’s role in supporting aviation policy development and implementation, again emphasising  the sector’s importance for Malta’s economic resilience and skilled employment.

Dr. Rebekah Tanti Dougall, Head of Corporate & International Affairs, Civil Aviation Directorate, Transport Malta, provided the latest update on EASA Part-IS rollout with Waylin Abdilla, Head of IT and Infrastructure, easyJet Engineering Malta, reflecting on his organisation’s roll out and some lessons to be learned. This session underscored the critical importance of protecting aviation infrastructure and digital systems in an increasingly complex threat environment.

Aircraft leasing: A strategic opportunity

The panel was moderated by Timothy Borg Olivier, Director, International Tax at Deloitte Malta, who introduced Malta’s impending approach to attract aircraft financial leasing to the jurisdiction with Nick Captur, Director, International Tax, Deloitte Malta (and President of the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners) reflecting on the role of the Malta Financial Services Advisory Council (MFSAC) in developing an appropriate ruleset. Deloitte Malta Aviation sector leader, Jonathan Galea reflected on the wider industry preparation needed for a viable aircraft leasing industry drawing on the eminence of Ireland in this field.  Christopher Bergedahl, Director, International Tax, Deloitte Malta, highlighted how certain regulatory frameworks, tax incentives, and training and educational capacity can help Malta establish a respectable toehold in this high-value sector.

Charting the future

The conference’s deliberations highlighted possibilities for Malta to manage the potential of both its aviation and tourism sectors, with an emphasis on strategic design, planning and coordination across government, industry, and regulatory bodies.

The aviation industry requires partners who understand its complexity. Deloitte, as the world’s largest professional services network with hundreds of major aviation clients globally, is well positioned to support Malta’s aviation sector across the full spectrum of challenges, from tax and aircraft leasing expertise to audit and assurance, technology and operational transformation, risk management and regulatory compliance.