Vaia Legal

Menu
  • Aviation

Malta Ranks Among the Top Jurisdictions in the Cape Town Convention Compliance Index Q1 2025

Malta Ranks Among the Top Jurisdictions in the Cape Town Convention Compliance Index Q1 2025

date

area

  • Aviation

reading time

3 minutes

Introduction

Malta continues to strengthen its global reputation as a trusted and compliant aviation jurisdiction, ranking first in Europe and second worldwide in the Cape Town Convention Compliance Index (CTC Index) for Q1 2025.

The Index, published quarterly by the Aviation Working Group (AWG), assesses the performance of contracting states under the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and its Aircraft Protocol. It measures how effectively countries implement and uphold the Convention’s provisions on aircraft financing, ownership rights, and enforcement mechanisms.

This recognition confirms Malta’s commitment to providing a transparent, reliable, and creditor-friendly legal environment for the aviation industry — further consolidating its position as one of the leading aviation centres in Europe.

Malta’s Performance in the 2025 Index

In the latest publication, Malta achieved an overall score of 95 out of 100, reflecting exceptional performance in key compliance categories, including:

  • Timely implementation of the Convention and its regulations;
  • Strong creditor rights and legal certainty in repossession procedures;
  • Efficient registration processes through the Civil Aviation Directorate (Transport Malta);
  • Robust adherence to international standards and best practices.

Malta’s consistent top-tier ranking highlights its proactive approach to aligning national legislation with global aviation frameworks, providing financiers, lessors, and operators with confidence in the jurisdiction’s legal and regulatory systems.

 

Aviation Leadership Through Legal Certainty

The Cape Town Convention is a cornerstone of global aircraft finance, offering a harmonised international framework for protecting ownership and security interests in aircraft assets.

Malta’s success in this area reflects its well-structured legislative framework, its efficient judiciary, and the continuous collaboration between public authorities and the private sector. This synergy allows for a streamlined approach to aircraft registration, financing, and enforcement actions — all key pillars for a stable aviation finance ecosystem.

 

How Vaia Legal can support

At Vaia Legal, we are proud to contribute to Malta’s standing as a premier aviation hub by providing strategic legal advice and full-service support across the aircraft lifecycle — from acquisition and registration to financing, importation, and operational compliance.

Our areas of expertise include:
               

  • Customs importation and exportation
  • Commercial and private aircraft operations
  • Sale, purchase, and financed transactions
  • VAT structuring and regularization
  • AOC applications and regulatory approvals
  • Aircraft registration



We work closely with Maltese authorities, operators, and financiers to ensure each transaction benefits from Malta’s strong legal environment and its exceptional compliance standards recognised internationally.

Conclusion

Malta’s outstanding ranking in the Cape Town Convention Compliance Index reaffirms the island’s reputation as a secure and business-oriented jurisdiction for aviation finance and asset management.

Feel free to get in touch with our team at [email protected] to learn more about our aviation practice and how we can assist your business in navigating its legal and regulatory obligations.

recent articles

  • Aviation

Malta Ranks Among the Top Jurisdictions in the Cape Town Convention Compliance Index Q1 2025

Read now
  • Immigration

The Malta Retirement Programme (MRP): Eligibility & Application Process

Read now
Menu

Yanika Ciantar-Barbara

Lawyer

Dr. Ciantar-Barbara is an experienced lawyer specialising in corporate and commercial law. She graduated with a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Malta in 2012 and went on to obtain a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Corporate and Commercial Law from Queen Mary, University of London in 2014.

With over a decade of experience at a leading Big Four firm, Dr Ciantar-Barbara has advised a wide range of local and international clients on complex company law matters. Her practice covers all stages of a company’s lifecycle, including formation, continuation, restructuring, cross-border mergers and divisions, acquisitions, and liquidations. She also assists clients with their day-to-day corporate governance and compliance obligations, including beneficial ownership requirements and statutory reporting.

In addition to her core focus on corporate law, Dr Ciantar-Barbara has handled various employment law matters, offering guidance on issues such as employment contracts and
workplace policies.

Proud member of the Chamber of Advocates and the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners.

Yanika Ciantar-Barbara

Legal Consultant

Dr. Ciantar-Barbara is an experienced lawyer specialising in corporate and commercial law. She graduated with a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Malta in 2012 and went on to obtain a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Corporate and Commercial Law from Queen Mary, University of London in 2014.

With over a decade of experience at a leading Big Four firm, Dr. Ciantar-Barbara has advised a wide range of local and international clients on complex company law matters. Her practice covers all stages of a company’s lifecycle, including formation, continuation, restructuring, cross-border mergers and divisions, acquisitions, and liquidations. She also assists clients with their day-to-day corporate governance and compliance obligations, including beneficial ownership requirements and statutory reporting.

In addition to her core focus on corporate law, Dr Ciantar-Barbara has handled various employment law matters, offering guidance on issues such as employment contracts and workplace policies.

Proud member of the Chamber of Advocates and the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners.

Valeriia Simutina

Valeriia Simutina

Office Administrator

As the Office Administrator at Vaia Legal, Valeriia ensures that the firm’s operations run smoothly and efficiently. She specializes in administrative coordination, office management, and business support, allowing the legal team to focus on delivering top-tier services to clients.

Holding a degree in Marketing from Kyiv University, she brings strong organizational and communication skills to her role. Since moving to Malta in 2022, she has been actively involved in office administration, supporting the firm with structured processes and strategic planning. Her ability to anticipate operational needs and implement effective solutions makes her an invaluable part of the Vaia Legal team.

Giovana Cauchioli

Legal Administrator

Giovana Cauchioli joined Vaia Legal as a Legal Administrator, bringing a strong background in legal operations and compliance. She graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie in 2019 and was admitted to the Brazilian bar in the same year. With several years of experience in litigation and general contracts, Giovana has developed a solid understanding of legal frameworks and regulatory processes.

Her professional experience covers various legal sectors, allowing her to provide valuable support in legal administration, contract management, and compliance-related matters. Throughout her career, she has refined her ability to assist in structuring efficient legal processes and ensuring that regulatory requirements are met.

At Vaia Legal, Giovana plays a key role in facilitating legal operations, ensuring that the firm’s work is carried out smoothly and efficiently. Her analytical approach, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence contribute to the firm’s ability to deliver high-quality legal services to its clients.

Dr. Katrina Abela

Founder

Seasoned Lawyer, specializing in Maritime and Aviation Law, having graduated from the University of Malta in 2013. Experienced in yacht and aircraft sale and purchase transactions as well as ownership structures, customs importations, and registration. Successfully assisted several companies in acquiring a Maltese Air Operator’s Certificate, as the key link between the applicant and local authorities, while also consulting on regulatory matters.


Specialties: Commercial Agreements, Sale and Purchase Transactions for Vessels and Aircrafts, Regulation of Aircraft Customs and VAT Status, Importation and Registration matters, AOC applications, Ownership structures and others



Proud member of the Chamber of Advocates, Malta Business Aviation Association, Malta Maritime Law Association and the Advocacy Committee of the European Business Aviation Association.