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DRIVEN BY PASSIONAND LOVE BY CORYSE B ORG
As Director General of the Civil Aviation Directorate, it is the responsibility of Director General Capt. Charles Pace to, first and foremost, ensure that the directorate is fulfilling its regulatory obligations as laid out in the Authority for Transport in Malta Act and to attract more foreign direct investment. He tells Movers and Shakers more about the past present and future of the CAD, and about what makes him tick.
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apt. Charles Pace has been in the aviation industry for nearly 44 years now, having started out with Air Malta in 1978. He has occupied several roles, ranging from flight attendant to chief pilot. The Civil Aviation Directorate has grown significantly in recent years, both in its size and the scope of its work. The industry has increased significantly, going from practically nothing to having what is probably the fastest growing aircraft registry by attracting major industry players such as Malta Air and Lauda Air, Wizzair, Lufthansa and many others. Today, it has 670 registered aircraft and if things go according to plan, the numbers will continue to increase, says Capt. Pace. The
Directorate is also responsible for the oversight of helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. This growth has significantly increased their workload and the responsibilities. “In essence, the Civil Aviation Directorate is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of aviation in Malta,” he explains, “We issue licenses to companies and individuals who want to operate out of Malta and oversee their activities to ensure safe operations within the parameters of international regulatory frameworks.” The directorate is also tasked with furthering the aviation sector in Malta. It is constantly engaging with industry stakeholders and promoting Malta as an ideal jurisdiction for aviation. The growth in the number of aircraft registered in Malta and the relocation of major European airlines to Malta is testament to the success of these efforts in recent years, he adds.
