ETM - Issue 6 by Executive Traveller Magazine

EXECUTIVE TRAVELLER

6 / AUTUMN - WINTER 2016 EDITION

TALKING TOURISM

WITH MINISTER FOR TOURISM, DR. EDWARD ZAMMIT LEWIS P7 “CHALLENGING TIMES AHEAD” - FABIO GAMBA, EBAA P21 FILM INDUSTRY & MALTA P28 CONTEMPORARY AVIATION SECURITY P37

FREE COPY PRODUCED BY AVIAPROS.COM/ETM

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editor’s word What has started as a dream has become reality and to be honest, I can’t believe that we’re into the sixth edition of the Executive Traveller Magazine. The fifth issue was a great success and the demand and feedback impressive; however, with the effort put into this issue, I am positive that, in the end, it will do even better with our readers.

This issue highlights the evolution of the Executive Traveller Magazine, a transformation from a unique magazine to an even more prestigious publication within its niche market. As our loyal readers would notice, we have decided to revamp the design, look and layout of our articles in order to attract the attention of even more readers. I believe that our designers have done a great job and I’m positive that, in the end, we will receive good vibes from our regular followers. As in past publications, in this issue, we feature exclusive interviews with people, who are in the limelight within the local government, determined entrepreneurs who have followed their dreams and interesting articles which I’m sure would catch the eye of our readers. The main interest of this publication is to promote local talent, local product, luxury living and lifestyle. This issue strikes a balance on this aspect with a variety of topics and themes including music, food and of course, local tourism and business aviation industry. Business aviation remains the number one subject at heart for the Executive Traveller Magazine and this issue also features an exclusive and interesting interview with the person at the helm of the European Business Aviation Association highlighting challenges ahead. Finally, I would like to thank all our sponsors especially Executive Aviation Malta and other top promoters who are always of great support to this publication. I hope that you will enjoy reading through this sixth edition.

publishing editor Andrea Trapani atrapani@aviapros.com advertising executive Rebecca Pace rpace@aviapros.com design john wilson independent studios www.johnwilson.com.mt printing Dormax Press publisher Aviapros International Ltd Contributors Special thanks for the production of this sixth edition goes to Executive Aviation Malta as the prime contributors and sponsors, The Hilton Malta, The Hon Minister for Tourism of Malta, MEBA, Mr. Fabio Gamba, EBAA, NBAA, La Valette Club, Ira Losco, LIV Group, Jet Aviation, Ronn Kerr (Photography feature plus front

cover credit), LIV Real Estate, Rebecca Pace, John Wilson Design, Executive Gourmet, Tapp into Malta, Aeropodium, Catalin Pogaci – Kayaking, Pitre, AConcept Jewellery, Malta International Airport, Adrian Micallef – AM Design, Eagle Express, Jet Story, Galley Cuisine, Patrick Cuschieri, YUE, National Aerospace Centre, Colin Azzopardi, Ir-Razzett L-Antik and Aviapros International for their contribution to content and financial support. Without such individual and entities’ input, the production of this 6th issue would have not been possible Advertising For advertising in our next issue, please send an email to Ms Rebecca Pace on marketing@ aviapros.com or +356 99441432, +356 79884888.

and venues, and is available at local and international business aviation conventions, conferences and events, at the Hilton Malta Lobby, Portomaso Business Tower, SkyParks, within Malta International Airport business lounges, Executive Aviation Malta’s airside lounge and the company’s executive vehicle fleet, on board business jets visiting Malta together with a range of business jet operators including international clients seeking investment and relocation to Malta. The magazine is published three times a year in partnership with top local and international brands. If you would like to subscribe, email marketing@ aviapros. com including your Name and Surname, Company name (if any), address and contact telephone number.

Subscription Executive Traveller Magazine is distributed for free to top hotels

The publication is also available online at: www.aviapros.com/ETM

Disclaimer: Particular attention has been given to ensure that all the content of this magazine is correct and up to date as on date of issue. The views expressed in the articles and technical papers are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. While eve,y care has been taken during production, the publisher does not accept any liability for errors that may have occurred. Copyright© 2015.

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PHOTO: TONIO LOMBARDI

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BEGINNING OF AN

Andrea Trapani interviews IRA LOSCO, Malta’s most renown singer and performer Many people know you for your popularity as a singer, however, who is Ira Losco as a person? What can you tell us about your character and values in life? I think I am a person who loves the simple things in life. I am happy with little, but happy with the greater things in life, like being able to do what I love the most for a living, being able to wake up every morning, healthy and ready to face the world efficiently because I can run, walk, get to wherever I need to get to. I am thankful for everything that has happened in my life, because I live by the motto that “everything happens for a reason.” I am thankful for a loving family background, because not everyone gets one. I am also a dreamer and a realist where I need to be. I live with the premise of putting myself in people’s shoes, because I believe that you never know how it feels till it hits YOU. I think I’m pretty down to earth and I don’t ever take myself too seriously, except when I have to.

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I’m inspired by people who wear their heart on their sleeve, people who are ambitious yet not ruthless, people who live for their art and people who love without boundaries

PHOTO: SHANE P WATTS

Tell us about your passion for music and how you managed to get to where you are today (loved by so many local and international fans) When I was a child I always picked an instrument rather than a toy when asking for a gift. I picked piano lessons over any other extra curricular activity, I asked for singing lessons when mum asked what I wanted to pursue. I argued with my parents that music was a real job, when I had to list my top 3 job choices in PSD in form 3. Caught buses, hitched rides, slept at early hours of the morning and was sitting at uni lectures at 8:30am while recording my first album and graduated that same year. Music had to be at the forefront of my life. Sheer determination, hard work and always believing that a challenge is worth taking probably got me here. I cannot discount the amazing guidance through the years and hard work which Howard has put in it my project. He is not only my manager, but also my writing partner, producer and a dear friend. Who are your favorite artists and people who have inspired you or perhaps still inspire you today? I’m inspired by everything which seems legit, honest and true to its core. I’m inspired by people who wear their heart on their sleeve, people who are ambitious yet not ruthless, people who live for their art and people who love without boundaries. In which case the list is long of who has inspired me along the years. The people who top that list though are definitely my parents. I can’t pin point particular artists, I find it very hard to choose. I find something

intriguing about every single artist who has produced incredible music and also those who have managed to break new grounds, even more so those who have been around for years and still manage to re invent themselves. Tell us a bit about your favorite album and your most recent one My favorite album has to be THE FIRE. It was the most interesting thing to work on, well till this next album started to be written last year. My latest album is all about fun, passion, a roller coaster ride. It is again about not writing within parameters. I hate to impose rules, dos and fonts on my writing. Howard and I have again proved to ourselves what a great team we are. I’m sure once it is released you will have similar views.... I hope hahah.

PHOTO: TONIO LOMBARDI

Life as a professional singer can be quite stressful but at the same time, I’m sure it can also be very rewarding. How do you manage to keep a balance? I listen to my body ...and mind...the mind is a complex thing. Then there’s the heart...I think it’s s balance of all of these things that needs to be struck to ensure that the roller coaster ride you embark while writing an album is kept sane and fun hahaha. I believe eating well, keeping active by exercising and also keeping some time where you just unwind helps. Where do you see yourself In 10 years’ time? Definitely still involved in music, whichever way it is. I’m sure I’ll still be on stage.... Brace yourselves there’s more to come et 7

PHOTO: KURT PARIS

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Malta is a popular destination for tourists not only because of what its natural beauty can offer but also because people here feel safe and our economy is strong

Tourism is by far Malta’s number one resource. How important is it that the tourism industry in Malta keeps a positive outlook registering growth year after year? Tourism in Malta has been a pillar for the local economy for decades. Malta’s tourism industry dates back since just after World War 2 and has been the country’s main source of wealth since. It is imperative that this industry is nurtured and sustained at all times. Thanks to various measures by previous government administrations and the present one, we have been experiencing growth in the number of tourists visiting our islands. 2014 was an overall record year for tourism and, it is highly likely that 2015 will be even better thus registering another success for this industry. When talking numbers, which are the top nationalities visiting the Maltese Islands for their holidays? The overall top nationalities who choose to spend their holidays in Malta are the British followed by the Italians and Germans. However, following much work by my Ministry and the Malta Tourism Authority, we are also experiencing a significant increase in tourist numbers from countries such as the Netherlands, Russia, Turkey and other countries that we are appropriately targeting as part of our growth strategy.

Talking Tourism

Malta’s success in tourism comes a long way, however, how much credit do you give to the fact that certain surrounding countries and destinations usually competing with Malta are today not very much sought after due to financial crisis or political turmoil. I do not agree with you when you say that countries going through, or who have been through, a financial crisis tend to be less of a tough competitor to us. If you take Greece or Cyprus for instance, both countries’ tourism industry is still strong even though their country’s finances are volatile. Furthermore, if you take the Spanish for example, they also have been through a financial turmoil, but their tourism industry has nonetheless kept flourishing and, in actual fact, as a tourist destination, it can always be considered as a good contestant when compared to us. On the other hand, when considering the mix political stability, safety and security of certain countries, here I tend to agree with you as Malta is a popular destination among tourists not only because of what we can offer in terms of natural beauty but also because people here generally feel safe and our economy is strong and robust.

Andrea Trapani speaks with Minister for Tourism, DR. EDWARD ZAMMIT LEWIS

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Due to the fact that tourism is the country’s main source of income, your ministry is considered to be one of the most prestigious ministries which, if not run properly, would aﬀect other ministries and the general economy of the islands. As the Minister in charge of Tourism, what are the main indicators you focus on when gauging this industry? I wouldn’t use the term prestigious, I would rather say that yes the Ministry for Tourism carries significant importance. Many are those companies providing various products and services in Malta & Gozo that depend entirely upon tourists visiting our islands. If you take for instance companies providing laundry services in Malta, a staggering 70% of their business depends entirely on tourists influx. Not to mention of course the hoteliers and all service providers surrounding the hospitality industry. Although, as a Minister, I am ultimately the person responsible for

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this Ministry, Government as a whole delivers major importance to this industry since many jobs and the general economy of the country depend on this industry, therefore we all need to be aligned in the policies we propose and adopt on a national level. A drop in tourist numbers will inevitably have a general bad effect on the country’s economy. From a government’s point of view, how important is it for you that infrastructural issues like traffic or public transport are improved so that this won’t upset our present healthy tourism industry? As I always state on every opportunity I have, numbers are important and one has to always look at numbers as a factor in this industry. What we need is better management and this was explained recently by a local CEO of a well renowned local and international hotel chain, where he practically said 10

that what we need to focus on is how to manage the numbers in order to fill in the slower periods. We need to look at the trends and understand better what our tourist is after. Personally, I would prefer having shorter stays of say 3-4 days rather than longer ones of one to two weeks as studies show that such trends tend to yield more for the economy. On the other hand, I have to stress that the fact that we have good numbers can only help us work and focus on improving on the trends. It is good that we Maltese have the ambition to always improve, however, even though we can always be better, we need to also appreciate that what we have achieved to date which is quite a remarkable feat. The fact that this year month after month the increase in tourism expenditure is surpassing the raise in tourist arrivals, demonstrates that the government’s policy to attract more quality tourism is bearing fruit. Going back to the infrastructure and traffic issues, it is imperative for our industry that we have good infrastructure. In the coming months a number of hotels will close down temporarily for refurbishment and this will certainly pose a little headache for us all. Having said that, it does not make sense having luxurious 5 or 6 star hotels to cater for the high end tourist and when one walks out of his hotel he or she is welcomed to a 3 star product. We are aware of this and there is a lot yet to be done. The problem is not restricted traffic congestion as such. You can encounter far worse traffic in central London for instance. What I’m referring to here is the level and quality of the public space surrounding these hotels. This is the reason why we will introduce the environment contribution initiative which will yield around 7 million a year which will solely go for embellishment projects following the identification of areas which require a facelift. It is a fact that thanks to the same success in the tourism industry, many popular public spaces desperately require maintenance and facelifts earlier than was planned. This is where we came up with the idea of introducing a nominal fee per bed night per adult which while for the tourist means practically nothing; it will make a huge difference for the industry. Whilst everyone appreciates quantity and numbers, what is your ministry’s approach when it comes to quality tourism? This is an argument which has created quite a controversy in our country since some main players within the industry tend to look more at numbers while others would rather focus on quality. The truth is that having quality tourism does not necessarily mean eliminating other particular sectors. We need to be able to provide a value for money concept for every sector. Without sounding critical, in the past years, we had an influx off mass tourism which however also resulted in a drop in quality. We were experiencing a phenomenon where five star hotels were hosting customers who usually opt for

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We Maltese have the ambition to always improve, we need to also appreciate what we have achieved to date which is quite remarkable

four star quality and the four star level in Malta has gone down to three. We are today experiencing a different process whereby the level is once again improving. Five and four star hotels are charging slightly better rates and increasing their levels whereas three star hotels are once again starting to make certain profits where until a while ago, they used to struggle to make ends meet. As mentioned earlier, what the tourist really expects is to receive value for money. Three star does not mean third division but it means that one is providing services which are up to a certain level and up to the expectations of 3 star customer. However as already stated earlier this year we are experiencing an increase in tourist expenditure higher than the increase in tourist arrivals, meaning a raise in the per capita expenditure of 1.7% during the first ten months of this year when compared with same period of 2014. Between January and October of this year, Malta registered the highest per capita expenditure since 2004.

We believe that our country has a lot of potential. Popular destinations with which one tends to associate with the high end tourist may not necessary be countries who have more potential than our islands. What these countries have is a better and a more focused approach on quality. I believe that even though we are still distant from where I want to get at, we are definitely heading in the right direction. As you may be aware, we recently launched a half a billion tourism project which certainly targets quality. As you mentioned however, everything has to move in a synchronized manner and it is not just a single ministry which has to make a difference but all the public sector has to put in a lot of effort to achieve tourism targets. Malta is a small country and we all have to work together and be aligned. The direction has to be given by Government and with every project launched; we need to always keep the tourist perception in mind, and in this way lead by example.

Our publicationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prime focus is on the executive traveller and high end tourist. What is your ministry doing to incentivize and promote quality/high end tourism targeting the executive traveller?

Coming from the high-end tourism industry myself, we often feel that there is still a lot to do to improve our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall product and properly cater for the high-end/elite tourist. We often hear that there is 13

the need for higher standards, be it within the hospitality sector, business aviation and the overall countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infrastructure. How is the government dealing with such realities and how does it incentivize the private sector to work on further growth in quality tourism? Although there is still a lot to do, Government is doing its best with regards to developing a cluster of services related to aviation together with services targeting highend tourists. There is a lot left to be done, however, we have embarked on initiatives which did make a difference. One of them is the reduction in utility bills which gave a breath of fresh air to the hotelier. Today, everyone knows that hotels are able to invest in upgrading their premises, products and services thanks to this saving which, when invested, is actually leading to more revenue for the hoteliers. We also addressed matters within the tourism related education sector. To be honest, I was not very happy with the situation I found in the education sector since we clearly lacked in some areas. This is the reason why we have decided to work on developing a new and improved Institute of Tourism studies (ITS) which will certainly help elevate our hospitality industry. et

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Profile

Jet Aviation FBO Nassau, the Bahamas

Jet Aviation signed an FBO management agreement with Executive Flight Support Limited and opened its doors to Jet Aviation Nassau on January 1, 2015. Under the agreement, Jet Aviation will provide branding, management, marketing and various support services to assist Jet Aviation Nassau in becoming the region’s premier aviation complex. The Jet Aviation Nassau FBO features 305,000 square feet of ramp space and includes onsite Bahamas Customs and Immigration available 24 hours, concierge service, computerized flight planning, pilot lounge, executive lounges, conference room, courtesy oﬃces, on-site car rental and 20,000 square feet of hangar space. Management Agreement With Jet Aviation Starting later this year, the company has plans to add new tenant hangars and remodel the 10,000 square foot FBO interior, which will include a new lobby, pilot’s lounge, VIP rooms and conference rooms. The existing ramp will also be repaved and expanded by an additional 174,000 square feet to accommodate the growing traﬃc. The newest addition to Jet Aviation’s global FBO network is the company’s seventh facility in the Americas. Jet Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was founded in Switzerland in 1967 and is one of the leading business aviation services companies in the world. Close to 4,500 employees cater to client needs from more than 20 facilities throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North and South America. The company provides maintenance, completions and refurbishment, engineering, FBO and fuel services, along with aircraft management, charter services, aircraft sales and personnel services. Jet Aviation’s European and U.S. aircraft management and charter divisions jointly operate a fleet of more than 250 aircraft.

The newest addition to Jet Aviation’s global FBO network is the company’s seventh facility in the Americas

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Service & Product Oﬀerings Led by a diverse team with many years of experience in all areas of aviation, Jet Aviation Nassau provides into-plane fueling, ground handling, over-flight clearance, landing permits, flight planning, weather information concierge services to private and commercial aircraft at one of the most popular non-U.S. travel destinations for aircraft owners. The main focus of Jet Aviation Nassau is to improve performance, growth and the positive impact on the community. The continuous growth and commitment to excellence has earned the Company a reputation of setting a benchmark in the FBO business in the Caribbean. From aircraft ground support to meeting the individual requirements of passengers and crew, Jet Aviation Nassau delivers exceptional personal service. Our scope of services include: • Trained, knowledgeable and fully staffed line crew • On-site Bahamas Customs and Immigration available 24 hours • Aircraft Charter • Pilot Planning Facilities / courtesy oﬃces • Computerized flight planning • First class pilot lounge • Executive lounges • Conference room • Complimentary beverage station • Concierge services • Specialized catering • Competitive pricing • Courtesy transportation / on-site car rental • On-site mechanic • 20,000 square feet of hangar space • Features 305,000 square feet of ramp space

Competitive Edge From its inception, Jet Aviation Nassau has maintained a critical competitive edge. There is no competitor in the market that offers a similar concept of quality and service. Our positioning is diﬃcult to match and enables us to attract a significant segment of the market based on the unique mix of value provided by offering an integrated menu of services, which will inevitably result in increased satisfaction over the competition. Expansion Plan Starting later this year, Jet Aviation Nassau has plans to add new tenant hangars and remodel the 10,000 square foot FBO interior, which will include a new lobby, pilot’s lounge, VIP rooms and conference rooms. The existing ramp will also be repaved and expanded by an additional 174,000 square feet to accommodate the growing traﬃc. The expansion plans also include: • Interior Renovations to be completed by September 2015 • Building a Fuel Farm on premises with a capacity of 90,000 USG of Jet Fuel and • 20,000 USG of Avgas. Fuel Farm Project to be completed by the end of 2015. • Apron resurfacing and expansion to be completed by Summer of 2016 • Additional Hangars to be completed by Summer of 2016 et

International Marketing Jet Aviation Nassau primarily targets private, corporate and leisure aviation traﬃc at the LPIA, which facilitates over 2000 general aviation landings per month. Jet Aviation Nassau is also focused on meeting the needs of the fast growing commercial aviation sector that has developed as a direct result of a $500 million airport terminal enhancement plan by The Bahamas Government. 15

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If you are a sea lover, enjoy the waves, salt water on your lips and the crystal blue waters of the middle sea, there is no need to be necessarily on a beach, on a boat, or super yacht. Indeed the renowned Maltese Falcon, with her peculiar rigging looks extremely attractive whereas a cruise ship also promises a lot of spoils, but, if you like it up close and personal, there is something else out there that may capture your attention, and no, it is not swimming. They have been around for at least 4000 years, used initially for hunting. They accumulated 4000 years of building experience, handling knowledge, and they have been developed in a very large variety capable of accommodating all tastes, ages, purposes (well, maybe not industrial ones, but still, they can do a variety of things). We’re not talking about the sail ship either, it requires more effort to put it in motion for long distances, but hey, it is really worth the effort. We are talking about the kayak here, a small boat whose propulsion is slightly different from its terrestrial counterpart, the bicycle. Pedalling and paddling, paddling and pedalling, and just as the small humble vehicle which populates the ground, the eﬃciency of a kayak is far beyond expectations. But let us not talk numbers here. There are dedicated sites, books, magazines and other sources addressing those. We’ll just travel in one, around the Maltese archipelago, and if you’ll like it enough, probably you’ll give it a try yourself. Having said that, let us create a general image of it first, just to have an idea about what we are going to travel in. The kayak is a small boat initially conceived for hunting in the Artic by the Inuit people. The classic ones are long, narrow, fast, and have one or more cockpits. The cockpit can be covered with a spray skirt, to keep one’s lower half of the body dry, and to prevent the water from flooding the cockpit. The length of the kayak depends on its purpose: there are the long sea kayaks, capable of accommodating a lot of equipment whose purpose is long expeditions at sea. There are also very short and nimble ones, dedicated to white water activities, such as descending a raging river. The sea kayaks are fast, easy to paddle at speed, and track very well in the water but at the same time lack manoeuvrability when compared to a white water one. After all, in the open ocean one doesn’t have to dodge rocks all the time and the aim is to cover long distances with ease. Not all kayaks have a cockpit. Some are called sit-on-top kayaks, and the rider just sits on a seat on top of the boat. They are usually recreational boats, with limited performance, and mostly dedicated to short leisure trips or fishing.

THE

BICYCLE OF THE SEAS Kayaking is paddling into popularity. Catalin Pogaci finds out more.

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It is always enjoyable to look at people from the water, to admire the architecture, or the sunbathersâ&#x20AC;Ś

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A modern kayak can be built from a variety of materials: plastic, composite, skin on frame dismountable ones, inflatable ones or wood. The wooden built ones are mostly build by hobbyists. Some skin on frame ones also. Now that the acquaintances have been made, let’s go for a trip around our Middle Sea Rock, an island that looks like it has been purposely made to enjoy kayaking around its shores. There are some advantages a kayak has over the other bigger and more complex vessels. It is small, doesn’t burn any fuel, doesn’t need a lot of water under it, actually one foot of water is enough, and can fit almost anywhere: between rocks, inside caves, under bridges, or on top of a car to be moved someplace else. Some secret small beaches or some islets such as Saint Paul’s one can be reached easily with a kayak and if the weather is good, which is the case with Malta’s long summer; longer trips around the islands can be possible. The northern shores are dedicated for the cosmopolitan kayakers as most of the urban areas are concentrated out there. Paddling close to shore reveals the beauty of the waterfront of most Maltese cities. It is always enjoyable to take a glance at people from right above the water, to admire the typical architecture, or…the sunbathers. Sometimes, when the seas are quiet, the urban noise clearly infiltrates off-shore with such clarity that even individual conversations can be heard. Apart from that, there are plenty of berthing places where one can enjoy a quick snack or a refreshing drink in by the sea bank. The Grand Harbour, Sliema Bay, Saint Paul’s Bay, and Saint George’s bay are a must for every kayaker, however, caution must be practiced as

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you will not be alone in these areas. There is a lot of traﬃc, and most power boat drivers will not see you in the water. The best is just to stay out of their path and to remain within the shallow waters close to shore where they can’t go. The Grand Harbour will lead you to Valletta’s shore lines and the scenic three Sister cities, Isla, Birgu and Kalkara. Further North, Sliema Ferries and Manuel Island allow for another spot that needs to be ticked on your map. This is where the archaic meets the modern. A kayak is not particularly fast and, apart from that, it can be stopped whenever you want to take a better view at whatever catches your eye, to simply take some panoramic photos or chat with your trip companions. Further north, Saint Paul’s Bay and Saint George’s Bay are two other must stops for a sea lover with a good taste about urban architecture. Actually Saint George’s Bay is to be considered as a serious body fuel stop as restaurants are literally few steps away from the beach. Guarding the bay’s entrance is the Dragonara Casino, a still stone model waiting for a memorial picture to be taken (or a money eater depending on how one looks at it). Far, far away, as far as the meaning of this word can mean on a small island, one can find serious playgrounds for a serious kayaker. The south is the land for exploring the wilderness at sea and at the same time, the industrial part of the island’s shores. It is the land of the waves and caves, turquoise waters and some of the few sandy beaches on the island. It is also the land where one will feel so small in his small boat, as the Maltese shorelines are high with steep cliffs in those areas. It is a land where secrets can be found either deep

inside one’s soul or within a not so commonly visited cave. The White Cave, close to Gnejna Bay, Ghajn Tuﬃeha Bay (here a good pizza and a beer are a must in order to transform in some energy for the rest of the trip), Popeye’s Village, are just a few other places to experience from the water. Of course, they can be reached by land too, but where is the fun in that? Between Popeye’s village and Ghar Lapsi, there is a high cliff area of natural beauty and at the same time extreme challenge. No places to pull ashore are to be found and the distance between these two points is not a short one. Having said so, the trip is quite rewarding especially on a quiet day out at sea when the winds are calm thus offering pure bliss when paddling along the gigantic facades of the cliffs. This is the place mentioned earlier in our story. No matter how tall or strong you are, this is where and when you will realise that nature is always bigger and stronger. The South is the place where you can ride the waves or actually go through them (depending on your type of kayak). It is also the place where one can experience one of the most beautiful sunsets in life. Given the late hour in the day now, my story needs to end as a very tired but satisfied kayaker needs to rest. Before that happens however, please keep in mind a few things. Nowadays kayaking is considered to be an activity which, apart from element of sightseeing, certainly allows for other unique benefits. It is a modality to enjoy the time spent with friends and your own self. It is a way to feel up close and personal with nature and another reason for giving your mum a big thumbs up for the gift of life she gave you. et

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deﬁned by details We talk to Adrian Micallef about the high end interior design company, am design

Adrian Micallef founded his own company am design in 2006. Adrian is an interior designer project manager, artist and sculptor. His artistic background allows him to conceptualise and deliver designs that pay homage to a building’s past. As a modern creative designer his appreciation of innovative and classical architecture and detail, have allowed him to create interior spaces that evoke style, quality, functionality and comfort. Adrian was destined to design, over the years he has worked on countless projects from luxury villas, farmhouses, town houses, apartments, bungalows, landscaping to hotels, retail outlets and oﬃces. As an interior designer Adrian is involved in the design and renovation of internal spaces from designing the initial concept to transforming an empty plot to structural architecture and alterations, fittings and fixtures, colour schemes and lighting. am design has grown into a highly reputed interior design company specialising in luxury residential and commercial projects. Offering a highly personalised and dedicated service, am design places great importance and commitment to building strong client relationships always tailoring their approach to meet each individual client’s needs and delivering on time and budget. Adrian has extensive experience in both the commercial and private sector. His projects always combine a creative timeless approach with a signature of elegance and luxurious style. As an artist and sculptor Adrian also offers his clientele custom artwork such as paintings and sculptures to compliment the finishings and colour scheme. am design is high end interior design company that provides a complete, tailored service covering each every aspect of your project. Adrian’s ability to create successful and impressive homes through his exacting attention to detail, an empathetic understanding of his clients’ tastes and ambitions result is a home or project that is not only beautifully designed, but of a quality that will sustain throughout the years. Email: Info@amdesign.com.mt Contacts: 00356-99463557

N a t i o n a l Ae ro s p a ce Ce n t re i n t h e M a k i n g Â Me e t u s i n 2 01 6

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Business Aviation: Challenging Times Ahead ANDREA TRAPANI interviews FABIO GAMBA, CEO of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA)

What is the current situation of EBAA today when compared with the past years? Looking at 2015, forecasts suggest that the year is going to be negative in terms of air traﬃc movements. We had hope that this would not be the case and that 2015 would show signs of some incremental growth, but the truth is that 2015 is a triple dip. This was the case in 2008/9 which was then followed by growth in 2010/11. Then we experienced a second recession in 2012/13 that was again followed by slight growth in 2014. The hope was that we would break the trend and move forward in 2015; but that does not look like it will be the case. At this stage it’s diﬃcult to make any predictions as to whether this third dip will be our last but we certainly look forward to having the sector take off in the coming years.

How do you compare EBAA with NBAA and what are challenges which one could ﬁnd in Europe and which perhaps are felt less in the US? Firstly, NBAA are our peers in the US and we obviously collaborate as much as we can with them on as many different and possible topics as we can. We are literally working together on pretty much everything on a regular basis. We are fellow partners and members of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and are the two biggest members of this association. Having said that, with NBAA’s plus 10,000 members, we can only dream of reaching such numbers in Europe at this stage. That success is mainly due to the fact that NBAA has been created around 40 years before EBAA which gives them stronger roots and a wider background.

I think that it’s only fair to congratulate Malta for having emerged as one of the major centers that attracts business aviation.

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Do you feel that the drop in the price of oil and fuels eﬀect business aviation and investment within the industry. Well look, fuel is around 1/5th of the operating cost for an operator. The price of fuel has decreased by 50%, so if you do the math, one can say that 10% of the operating costs of operators in Europe have decreased. Obviously that means that you could see a 10% reduction in margin or decrease losses by 10% which is of course an important number. I cannot imagine that this boom in operating costs has not had significant effect on operating costs throughout the world. It is somehow odd that despite this, there is a decrease in traﬃc - something which is not well connecting here. Obviously one has to also note that there is a difference when comparing commercial aviation and business aviation. A reduction of 5% in the costs of flight tickets can make a huge difference whilst it does not translate in the same manner when it comes to business aviation. It is much more complex than that. What can you tell us about the progress in business aviation in Malta? Well, first I think that it’s only fair to congratulate Malta for having emerged as one of the major centers that attracts business aviation. Despite the size and geographic location, Malta is becoming a major player in business aviation. That is due to a number of factors that Malta was able to master: the will of the authorities in Malta who have managed to portray themselves as professionals who understand and care. Today, Malta is equivalent to any important major registry in Europe and beyond. I believe that in terms of numbers, Malta is now past 100 aircraft with a mixture of commercial and non-commercial, and the number is growing. Each time I ask members why they are adding aircraft on the Maltese registry, I always get the same answer: professionalism of the team at the authority. I would like to also congratulate the Maltese Business Aviation Association (MBAA) who has worked close to the civil aviation association in order to promote the registry. Finally, I would simply like to say well done to everyone in Malta for having reached this prestigious level.

Each time I ask members why they are adding aircraft on the Maltese registry, I always get the same answer: professionalism of the team at the authority

As a jurisdiction, how does Malta feature when compared to other European authority? Do you feel that there is potential for further growth? You know, when looking at other small registries such as the Isle of Man or San Marino, the Isle of Man has some 350 aircraft in its registry which is in itself a great achievement. I am sure that Malta has the potential to reach these numbers. Malta is a country with means, possibilities and resources that others do not have; hence, I am sure that if one can further boost the visibility and continue on the excellent initiatives and ideas, I am positive that Malta can quickly double, if not more than double, the current fleet on their registry and be recognized as a center of excellence. It’s already the case today, but I feel that one can achieve much more. et

From the perspective of industry perceptions, things in the US also seem to be easier due to their sheer size; NBAA represents 20% of the movements in the US while we represent 7% here in Europe. This puts them in a better position when it comes to bargaining and negotiating. Thanks to their no plane, no gain campaign, they have managed to be extremely visible in the day to day life of all 50 states whilst we are still somehow struggling in Europe to recalibrate the perception of business aviation with the people on the streets. For the rest, I believe that the US is probably a more mature and innovative market. In Europe, we tend to be more conservative. All the major initiatives originate in the US and we tend to follow what is happening and try to adapt the initiatives to a European audience with hopefully the same results. In today’s day and age, what do you believe is the main catalyst which one has to focus on in order to further promote business aviation? The perception of business aviation has been a real challenge for the industry that, if improved, would really help to advance the sector. The catalyst is an improvement in communication. This doesn’t imply that better communication will automatically translate into more customers and passengers but it would certainly contribute in improving the relatively negative image that affects business aviation today.

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THE

REAL PERKS OF

FLYING BUSINESS 28

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Possibly the most difficult decision in flying by means of private or business jet is which aircraft to choose and which operator to choose. Whether you own your own jet or not, there are numerous times when one would have the flexibility of last minute changes when it comes to the total payload travelling with you. Private Jets offer you the flexibility of adding an extra board member or team from your company minutes prior departure. It also allows you to add extra luggage or invite your spouse and children on for a trip without the need of hassling for tickets, connections, schedules and related worries. Companies are taking to heart the old and well renowned saying “time is money” as they seek increased productivity and profitability, while providing happier and healthier working environments for their employees. There exist several instances where business aircraft accomplishes both such as when a sales team has several places to go in a short amount of time, when more than one employee is traveling on the same itinerary when their destination isn’t a major airline hub, when it takes too many connecting flights to get to destination or when an airline schedule simply don’t fit the company work schedule. For most companies, cost was the major factor to using business aviation services in the past but that argument is no longer valid today. Businesses that rely on their own aircraft have done comparison studies to determine its cost against the combined cost of typical commercial air travel. One has to evaluate and compare costs such as airfares, overnight hotel and meal expenses, car rentals, taxis to get to final destination and the value of having to do without an executive for an extra day or two due to all this. In most cases, it turns out that it makes more sense to have certain high ranked employees working, at their office instead of wasting time at airports, checking in and boarding commercial aircraft which can easily be hit by delays, Business aviation gives business travelers the freedom to go where they want, when they want and as close as possible to their final destination. Some dedicated business aviation airports or FBOs are located closer to business centers and meeting points which makes it easier and even faster for business employees to meet up for official company meetings. Apart from this, users of business aviation are generally less exposed to travel hassles. The walk from the ramp to the luggage carousel to the cab stand becomes obsolete; hence it is a rarity that one loses or misplaces his luggage whilst travelling on a business jet. It is also a fact that many companies actually conduct business or staff meetings whilst travelling from one place to another when traveling by business aviation. Business aircraft generally take the form of single or twin engine, be it jet or turboprop, and can roughly accommodate from a minimum of four up to as many as 24 passengers. While the commercial airlines have access to a limited number of commercial airports, business aviation aircraft can take off and land at ten times as much airports, airfields and FBO locations worldwide. This in itself is offers a much wider range of flexibility which after all, is synonymous with a successful business. et

One has to evaluate and compare costs such as airfares, overnight hotel and meal expenses, car rentals, taxis to get to final destination and the value of having to do without an executive for an extra day or two due to all this

by Andrea Trapani 29

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Malta has hosted a myriad of international productions such as Troy, Munich, World War Z, Captain Phillips, Midnight Express, and Gladiatorâ&#x20AC;Ś

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ON SET IN MALTA We talk to Colin Azzopardi about hollywood in Malta and the film industry in general. Who is Colin Azzopardi? How did you get into the filming industry? Since I was a kid I was always into theatre, films, acting and directing and dreamt of winning awards such as the Emmys and Oscars. So much so I eventually decided to leave Malta and further my studies in this field as the industry in Malta was very limited. Ironically however, after finishing university in Winchester UK, I stumbled onto my first ‘professional’ job whilst on holiday back in Malta through an acquaintance. It was a BBC production and I was hired as a location runner starting at the very bottom making coffees, picking up rubbish and cleaning the toilets and I was just simply so happy to have finally got my first job in the industry! Where do you stand today? Since that first job I am grateful to say that I have had the privilege to work on numerous productions hailing from various parts of the world and of all forms and sizes, from low budget documentaries to mega budget blockbusters and award winning movies with my last job as one of the production managers on the latest season of the award winning TV show “Game of Thrones”. I can proudly say that this year we also broke the record in amount of Emmys won by a single show, including that of outstanding drama series, it’s been an honor and privilege for me to work on this show for the past six years and with such a great crew. To which parts of the world has your job taken you? I have always been an avid traveller and one of the perks of the job is that occasionally you get to travel and visit beautiful locations. Thanks to work I have travelled the UK and Spain extensively, been to Asia, Northern Africa and other European destinations. Which was your favorite location and the one you have the nicest memories of? This is definitely a diﬃcult question to answer as every destination has something that will make you fall in love. Be it the vistas, the food, or the friends you make.

Colin Azzopardi with the Emmy for ‘Outstanding Drama Series’ on location in Bardenas, Spain during shooting of Game of Thrones

What do you like most about what you do? I guess what I like the most is that I get to meet people from all walks of life from different countries and cultures and make new friends as we go along and together create these movies or shows that, even if for an hour or so, gives something to the viewers to enjoy, be it escapism, entertainment, something to criticize or talk about or fall in love with or whatever it is they are looking for. Once a job is finished, it always feels very rewarding to have been part of the project.

come to shoot in Malta and help the productions with all their needs such as finding locations, casting, hotels and any other services including executive services like flight charters, VIP packages, etc., just to mention but a few. Malta has hosted a myriad of international productions such as Troy, Munich, World War Z, Captain Phillips, Midnight Express, Gladiator to mention but a few. What are your targets for the future? That’s actually quite an apt question as I am currently in a transitional period. Now that I have reached a point in my career that I am hap with I am looking to take the next step. I would like to start producing and directing our own projects in the near the future and accordingly am setting the wheels in motion to start looking for partners/investors who would be willing to get involved. It’s not going to happen overnight of course but in the long run I would like to win our own awards and not just help people win them… So if there are any readers out there that are interested feel free to get in touch on colin.azzopardi@gmail.com! et

What can you tell me about the filming industry in Malta? The industry in Malta has come a long way over the past couple of decades or so and today the island can boast a thriving industry, also thanks to the great efforts of the various government administrations, the Malta Film Commission, the talented and experienced local crews and especially the latest financial incentives that were introduced where you can get up to 27% rebate on European spend whilst here in Malta. Accordingly, Malta now has a very strong and successful ‘servicing’ industry, which basically means we service foreign productions that 31

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‘1743’

Razzett L-Antik PROUDLY PROMOTING 1000YEARS OF MALTESE FOOD AND CULTURE Situated in the medieval baker’s village of Casal Curmi il-Fornaro (today Hal-Qormi), Razzett L-Antik is dedicated to 1000 years of Maltese food and culinary heritage specialising in the tasteful art of slow food farmhouse cooking, with an entertaining style of service that promotes Maltese traditions.

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READY FOR NEW EASA RULES FOR NONCOMMERCIAL OPERATIONS? 28th January 2016 - London, UK

ZURICH BUSINESS AVIATION SYMPOSIUM 28th April 2016 - Zurich, Switzerland

10TH INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT REPOSSESSION th 6 May 2016 - Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN AVIATION MANAGEMENT rd th 3 -5 February 2016 - London, UK ANNUAL EMBRY-RIDDLE AVIATION SYMPOSIUM AIRCRAFT FINANCING AND LEASING IN ASIA 14th February 2016 - Singapore 3

ASIA PACIFIC AVIATION LIABILITY 23rd February 2016 - Sydney, Australia -

4TH ANNUAL BBA BALTIC BUSINESS AVIATION 9th June 2016 - Riga, Latvia 5TH ANNUAL MBA MEDITERRANEAN BUSINESS AVIATION 30th June 2016 - Sliema, Malta -

4 ECAS EUROPEAN CORPORATE AVIATION SUMMIT 9th March 2016 - London, UK

8TH ANNUAL BALA BUSINESS AVIATION IN LATIN AMERICA NETWORKING RECEPTION 23rd August 2016 - LABACE, Sao Paulo, Brazil

AIRCRAFT OWNERS: HOW TO MANAGE YOUR HOLDING AND OPERATIONAL STRUCTURES AND LIABILITIES UNDER PART-NCC? 14th March 2016 - London, UK

CENTRAL ASIAN AVIATION October 2016 - Almaty, Kazakhstan

MEDITERRANEAN COMMERCIAL AVIATION 17th March 2016 - Sliema, Malta AERO EXPO PANAMA PACIFICO 7th-8th April 2016, Panama City, Panama

6TH ANNUAL OFFSHORE AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION November 2016 - Oranjestad, Aruba 5TH ANNUAL AIRCRAFT RECORDS 1st December 2016 - London, UK

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Dressed up in period costume, service is Rustic family style making it the ideal venue to relax and appreciate traditional Maltese hospitality and culinary delights The main building itself was once a milling factory to grind grain to flour for the daily bread and is over 400 years old. The medieval milling room is now set up for the two cooking schools and for gourmet and private dining. Dressed up in period costume, service is Rustic family style making Razzett L-Antik the ideal venue to relax and appreciate traditional Maltese hospitality and culinary delights. Seating capacity is of 200 persons with the private room seating an extra 50 persons. On the terrace overlooking the courtyard is space for another 25. The venue is fully accessible to the first floor and the cellar, equipped with lift and wide doorways, has two entrances, a courtyard with a motorized canopy suitable for all types of weather, and a generator to ensure service in case of power failure. Razzett L-Antik, Valley Road, Qormi Tel: (+356) 21 470 221, Email: info@farmhousecooking.com www.farmhousecooking.com

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Contemporary Aviation Security Are we still utilizing primitive countermeasures in aviation security? Are we doing enough to mitigate current and evolving threats? PATRICK CUSCHIERI explains. In the past years, a number of aviation related incidents have unceasingly tainted the commercial aviation industry. Since 9/11 one can make reference to the December 2001 ‘shoe bomber’ plot, the 2002 attempt to shoot down an Israeli aircraft in Kenya, the August 2006 liquid explosives plot to bring down transatlantic flights, the December 2009 Christmas bomber, the 2010 cargo IED plot, the 2014 Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappearing over the South China Sea, the 2015 German Wings Flight 9525 incident, deliberately crashed in the French Alps , and the just recent Airbus A321 operated by Russian airline Metrojet from Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg which also went down in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Despite efforts and concerted actions from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), European Commission (EC), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other Regulatory Bodies in other regions around the globe to improve aviation security, the aviation industry is still faced with a good number of critical threats:

Threats from Explosive Devices: Throughout the years, terrorists have continuously refined their strategies and tactics to conceal improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from security screening equipment and from personnel performing aviation security duties. This was evidently put on show in the 2010 Yemen cargo bomb plots, where terrorists concealed the ‘almost imperceptible’ explosives in printer cartridges. Another example being the Christmas bomber incident in December 2009, where the destined suicide bomber concealed explosives in his underwear while he managed to surpass various aviation security and other controls. Following an escalation in the use of IEDs in the aviation industry, Regulatory Bodies have looked into ways of closing an evident gap in security systems and increasing safeguards for passenger and cargo aircraft by deploying and regulating Explosive Trace Detection Equipment (ETD), Explosive Detection Dogs (EDDs), and Security Scanners (also known as body scanners). Not withstanding the deployment of the 39

above security equipment in the aviation security industry, IEDs are still considered to pose a significant threat to the aviation industry; this in view of the current limitations of the screening technologies and methodologies employed. Security Scanners can be definitely defeated by concealing IEDs internally, either by surgically implanting devices into the body of a would-be suicide bomber, or by inserting explosive devices into body cavities. Alternatively, IEDs concealed within complex electronic devices or other complex luggage or cargo content are most likely to defeat visual inspections of security personnel, which at most times have the ‘time’ and ‘customer care’ element working against them. ETDs and EDDs can be overcome by a number of tactics. For example a number of ETD (although not all ETDs) do not have the capability of detecting all explosive compounds. Furthermore, both ETD equipment and EDDs are not designed or trained to detect components of improvised incendiary devices (IIDs), making the use of such components rather attractive for terrorists. Both ETDs and EDDs are designed or

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trained to detect vapors or minute particles. IEDs can be vacuum packed, sealed, masked or cleaned so as to radically decay the ability of ETDs or EDDs to detect explosive vapors or particles. Behavior profiling also proved futile towards passenger-borne IED and IIDs. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab managed to surpass two interviews by security personnel prior to boarding and attempting to ‘down’ the Northwest Airlines Flight 253 in 2009. Insider Threats: A British Airways computer expert, Rajib Karim spent three years looking into ways on how to carry out a terrorist attack on Britain. Karim’s motive was to smuggle a bomb onto a transatlantic aircraft. To perform the terrorist act, he further attempted to recruit as accomplices others, including a baggage handler at Heathrow Airport and another employee from airport security. This attempt from an insider cannot be looked upon in isolation. One can mention the 2007 JFK airport plot where authorities disrupted a plot by Islamic extremists to attack a JFK jet fuel storage and pipeline system, and the 2009 plot by Indonesian terrorist Noordin Top to target commercial aviation at Jakarta’s main airport, which also included assistance from a former mechanic working with Guarda Indonesia. Although National Authorities are known to perform background and other criminal verifications on persons requiring unescorted access into airports, such checks still have not impeded employees granted access to secure areas of airports in performing acts of unlawful interference or other criminal activities. The insider threat issue further develops towards a worse scenario when one look at non-Western airports in regions such as South Asia or West Africa. In such regions local authorities have immeasurable diﬃculties when it comes to background or criminal record checks on airport staff, in view of inadequate or inaccessible terrorist and criminal intelligence databases. Threats from Ranged Weapons: Man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) are nowadays considered to be one of the fast growing physical threats following the outbreak of Libya’s civil war in 2011. Some reports indicate that missiles stolen from Libya have spread as widely as Niger, the Gaza Strip, and the Sinai Peninsula. Although it is a known fact that MANPADS are not capable of targeting aircraft at cruising altitudes, commercial aircraft would become vulnerable for several miles during the ascend and descend maneuvers particularly when keeping in mind that such commercial aircraft are not normally equipped with countermeasures systems. Furthermore, a substantial wide range of weapons could also be used to target commercial aircraft, mainly when taxiing prior to takeoff, or after the aircraft has landed. For example, the rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), which are known to be inaccurate at extended ranges, have still been used to shoot down rotary wing aircraft

in a number of combat zones. RPGs have also been used in at least one plot against El Al aircraft. Threats against Airports: Moving away from the threat to aircraft and focusing on the threat to airports one can presume that the inclination for airport attacks may at times be driven by the vulnerability criteria, where terrorists target vulnerable areas of the industry rather than going for the multi-layered secure areas of the industry. Since aviation security is concerned and mainly focused on the safety and security of departing aircraft, any person or object in contact with or boarding departing aircraft has to go through some sort of regulated security control. In view of this, aviation security can be said to provide very basic and (at times) unregulated security coverage at landside areas (also known as public areas), while giving top priority to security controls and the screening of passengers, staff, visitors, vehicles and items gaining access from landside areas to the Security Restricted Area (SRA) of airports. Other security procedures and provisions are also in place for cargo and other supplies. In 2007, Glasgow International Airport was attacked when two men drove an SUV loaded with petrol and propane canisters in the direction of the terminal facade, hitting security barriers, crashing into the glass doors then set ablaze. Security bollards outside stopped the vehicle from entering further inside the terminal thus avoiding mass casualties. In 2011, the landside arrivals hall of Domodedovo International Airport was the target of a suicide bombing. Thirty-five persons lost their lives while at least 135 persons were injured in the blast. Facing Reality: While one understands that the threat to the aviation industry is real and there to stay, it is also crucial to appreciate the hard fact that having 100% security can never be the case. As long as passengers, baggage and cargo are allowed onboard aircraft, and as long as staff and visitors have access to aircraft, the industry will continue to be exposed to a number of internal and external risks and threats. 41

It would be realistic to articulate that terrorists can be quite imaginative and adaptive towards identified vulnerabilities. It is no secret that they vigilantly scrutinize security measures in place, and then exploit the identified vulnerabilities at their desired pace and when deemed opportune to meet their objectives. In the context of the aviation industry, terrorist orgnisations recruit candidates who are not only committed enough to sacrifice their lives, but who would also need to have the courage to steadily proceed through airport operations and security checkpoints without giving themselves up. Such behavior and nerve have been the principal successful element of several terrorist activity. This ‘trained behavior’ may sound uncomplicated and simply the act of following a plan in theory. However, the actual application of such an act under the intense stress of a suicide maneuver has to be very challenging. This may be looked upon as one of the possible vulnerabilities of (even) a well-planned terrorist act. Although for a number of times behavior profiling did not provide its expected results, it may be at times easier to observe behavior blunders rather than to recover professionally concealed explosive devices. Such behavior faults may be evidenced, or even provoked, by security personnel or other trained operational staff during interviews or operations. In such cases, unpredictable variations in security procedures and protocols, where a potential attacker is unaware and hence not prepared of what security procedures will be applied next is also another ‘eye opener’ for security personnel and other staff making part of the aviation security chain. To conclude, aviation security should also be more reactive to emerging threats. With an industry where the reliance on computer systems for almost every aspect, and at the same time the increasing challenges of cyber warfare, the Aviation Industry seems still dormant when it comes to cyber security and to counter such emerging threats. A good football player positions himself where the ball is being played, but a great football player set himself where the ball is going to be. Cyber security experts agree on one thing – It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when’. Doing nothing is not an option! et

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Holistic Health Interview with FABIAN VELLA – Owner of YUE Malta What does the brand name YUE stand for? YUE is a recently opened establishment situated in Naxxar at the centre of the Maltese Island. It’s main focus is that of offering a host of holistic services. Our setup is geared to cater for people of all ages with the intention of offering an alternative option of receiving treatment outside a hospitalized environment. The name ‘YUE’ is of Chinese origin and is commonly used for female names. The meaning of YUE stands for new a moon which symbolizes a new beginning and a fresh start. The YUE concept can be found to be an ideal source for tackling various situations ranging from rehabilitation, weight loss, beauty therapy, medical clinics, dentistry, wellness and giving a hand of offering a healthier option in regards to food intake and can also be geared for Medical & Health Tourism. The YUE concept is to offer the option of making individuals feel better outside a hospitalized environment. This is the project will focus on Medical & Health Tourism, which will be one of the major niche markets, by which YUE’s subsidiary Destination Management Company will be focusing on. To this effect, YUE Destination Management Company has been set up to generate incoming travel business, not only for the Health & Wellness Centre, which would need the support of all categories of Hospitality logistics, but also will specialize on various other niche markets, including Social Tourism, Rural and Eco Tourism amongst other traditional markets.

When was YUE established and what do you offer differently from other regular gyms in Malta? The YUE Concept is a relatively young concept launched in September 2014 with the idea to be a one stop shop for all the family and friends, for both old and young. With various activities going on at the same time one can hardly say that we are a gym. We are a one stop shop for all holistic and wellbeing services. To add further the Center is: • Manned by fully qualified physiotherapists on a full time basis • Wheel chair accessible and showers. • Specific Exercise within a rehabilitation area for one to one or group attention. • Special used equipment includes hoist in all areas to cater for wheelchair cases. • User friendly and easy access always supervised area for exercise. • All equipment have half kilo increments to cater for all age groups especially the elderly and neurological conditions. What are the main services and facilities one would expect to find at your facility? • • •

The complex that is spread over 4000 sq meters hosts also the following facilities Physical Rehabilitation department, Cosmetic Clinic 43

• • • • • • •

Health Shop Medical consultancy clinics, Bistro, DMC with a special focus on Medical & Health Tourism. Active Aging Other Ancillary services The centre is the ideal venue to offer the following services

All physiotherapy services • Hydrotherapy • Orthopaedic • Post operation rehabilitation • Geriatric • Paediatric Services • Sports. • Gait analysis and Orthotics Are there any future projections in the pipeline? We are in the process of launching three new areas that are being very sought after. A 25 mtr lap pool with 3 lanes is in the pipeline together with a fully fletched hydropool and spa are to be launched early next year. This will enable us to sustain our existing business setup plus giving it an edge above competition whilst becoming a standalone setup within the Maltese Islands. The project has also got other phases to which we are to have which are a performance Gym, Paediatrics and Clinical Interventions especially related to disability services. et

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Inflight delight There is nothing better than maintianing the VIP treatment in the sky while sitting down to a good meal. We get to know Galley Cuisine - the caterers to trust. After 3 years of developing, Galley Cuisine opened their first location in Amsterdam. André Seijbel with many years of experience as a chef onboard on private aircrafts and Bo Tan with 10 years of experience in applying eﬃciency in food mass production lines, both created Galley Cuisine VIP Inflight Catering. Expanding The second location in Brussels where the exact same system and signature dishes of Galley Cuisine are provided, VIP Inflight Catering from Galley Cuisine is available at currently 8 airports covering Belgium and The Netherlands. Philosophy Providing catering as convenient as we would

serve as a chef onboard ourselves, with the quality and presentation we would like to receive as a VIP onboard. Dedication Being dedicated in private aviation is to be available 24/7. With an operator monitoring all incoming e-mails 24/7 Galley Cuisine manages to react to all priority messages and screens all errors out to make an order complete of all details for both kitchen and the client. Upon availability “short notice” orders are being evaluated and when needed adjusted to possibility. With all executive chefs having experience in skills from doing the mis en place to producing hot dishes, priority lays in delivering the actual order and making everything manageable for the

flight attendant on board and pilots when flying without a serving host. Preferably an order is produced by 1 chef only in this way all questions regarding a particular order can be answered by the chef who monitored the order. Dedication in VIP Inflight Catering also means knowing which aircraft type you will be catering. Seating configurations are essential when “ready-to-serve” catering is requested because of for instance short flights (shorter than 45 minutes, effective serving time 25minutes) or galley space shortage. To provide the most eﬃcient way of packaging Galley Cuisine has a range of over 50 different sizes of packaging to always be able to pack without “air” no space will be wasted in the galley with oversized packaging. Improvising Galley Cuisine is specialized in improvising on short notice requests. In the past three years we’ve made new items which have been created due to making dishes with limited ingredients. The combination of pressure, challenge and passion applied by our kitchenteam results in signature dishes exclusively available at Galley Cuisine. Innovation The constant change of demands regarding catering wishes longs innovation. Galley Cuisine focuses on trends, diets and seasonal supplies to have a constant surprising and renewing effect on board. To inspire trust of regular clients catering needs to be constant, equal to previous same orders, consequently high in quality and must be presented with the most highest care which VIPs are used to having. et

DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER Born in Malta, a warm hearted culture filled Mediterranean island in 1984, Aaron Kerr has been introduced to Arts through interior Design. In fact, after successfully graduating in 2004 as an Interior designer, Aaron’s passion for photography, particularly documentary photography has flourished. Throughout the years, Aaron spent most of his time documenting the inside life of theatre artists backstage or while rehearsing. His dedication and passion on the matter has lead him to document the inside story within the Vatican’s private gardens. He was later nominated as the official photographer for a European Erasmus project, documenting the interaction between students from various European countries. Aaron’s career in professional photography was enhanced when he enrolled for and later achieved a B.A. Hons. in photography. The evident passion expressed whilst documenting the inside stories of professionals at work portrays Aaron’s commitment and positive attitude towards his work. He is continuously motivated and in search of new boundaries whilst engaging himself in the exploration of the unseen, something which is considered inaccessible to the common public. Aaron has recently taken his photography a step further towards the use of social media, mainly instagram. This is helping him keep his documentation alive in real time whilst at the same time allowing him to always stay well connected with his audience.

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executive traveller

autumn/winter edition

Proﬁle: Eagle Express Eagle Express was founded by Naim Fazlija who is the current CEO and also an active pilot within the company. With such a setup, a team of highly qualified pilots, engineers and ground crew, one can rest assured of many advantages which includes a very good understanding of all aspects of the corporate aviation and the number one priority: Flight Safety. Eagle Express’ main oﬃce is located in Belgrade (Serbia) with a subsidiary base in Sion (Switzerland). Aircraft Management When you entrust our professional, highly skilled team with the day-to-day management of your aircraft, we will guarantee smooth operation of your aircraft around the globe. With in-house experienced personnel, we will make sure that your aircraft is in the air making you money. Aircraft Registration / Consultancy Our team is capable of guiding aircraft owners to the most convenient jurisdiction for aircraft registry and AOC. With vast experience in the field and links with major CAA and aircraft registries, our team will assist you take the best decision on your aircraft registry and ensure that the management of your business jet, yields revenue for your operation. Our preferred AOC and aircraft registries: San Marino Registration Maltese, Croatian and Serbian AOCs

With in-house experienced personnel, we will make sure that your aircraft is in the air making you money

Tel +4179 644 49 94 (Switzerland) Email: nf@eagleexpress.ch Tel: +381 11 31 73 049 (Serbia) Email: operations@eagleexpress.rs Tel +356 99 44 14 32 (Malta) Email: atrapani@aviapros.com Web: www.eagleexpress.ch in partnership with www.aviapros.com

a sky high vision with feet planted firmly on the ground.

VIP Handling | Business Jet Charter | Aircraft Fuel Flight Support | VIP Chauffeur | Concierge Services Executive Aviation Malta Ltd. Apron 3, Malta International Airport, Luqa 4000, Malta, Europe Tel: +356 999 00 747 (24/7) / +356 9944 1432 Email: ops@executivefbo.com | www.executivefbo.com