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our expertise in aviation

Vaia brings with it a wealth of experience in the Aviation Industry. At present, Katrina Abela has assisted over 18 operators who have decided to base themselves in Malta, ranging from business jet operators to ACMI operators and traditional commercial airlines, amongst other licensable undertakings.

discover our aviation services

The Maltese Aircraft Registration Act provides for the registration of aircraft that are destined for commercial activity, and also those aircraft that are destined to be used private purposes.

The process to register an aircraft in Malta is a very efficient one and is all done electronically and in real time.

Who is Eligible to Register an Aircraft?

  • Qualifying registrants may register aircraft in Malta in any one of the following capacities:
  • An owner operating an aircraft.
  • An owner of an aircraft under construction or temporarily not being operated or managed.
  • An operator of an aircraft under a temporary title.
  • A buyer of an aircraft under a conditional sale or title reservation agreement authorised to operate the aircraft.
  • A trustee for the benefit of beneficiaries.

 

When registering an aircraft, the registrant may register several securities in favour of any person (legal or natural) with an interest, such as:

  • A mortgage.
  • A priority notice.
  • A Deregistration power of attorney.
  • An irrevocable de-registration and export request authorization.
  • Registration of interests in the international registry.

 

Vaia Legal currently supports a wide range of operators that have established themselves in Malta. The process of obtaining an Air Operator’s Certificate and an AOL in Malta is a process that Vaia Legal is highly specialised in. We pride ourselves ‘on’ assisting our clients, with the whole process from start to finish, ensuring a successful and commercially viable result for our clients. In addition to adhering to specific time-frames, Vaia Legal further assists their AOC applicant clients with establishing their operations in Malta.

Authority Guidelines stipulate a general 6-month time period for obtaining AOC, however, this is assessed on a case-by-case basis as necessary.

Customs importation of an aircraft into the European Union, through Malta, is available for both privately operated aircraft as well as commercially operated aircraft, as detailed below.

This procedure is characterised as one of full importation. In this case, it is necessary for the aircraft to be physically present in Malta in order to undergo the required VAT and customs procedures. It is possible for the majority of the paperwork to be processed prior to the aircraft’s arrival in Malta and thus minimal turnaround time of a few hours is ensured.

With regard to the VAT regulations currently in force, aircraft that are put on an AOC are considered to be “aircraft destined to be used by airline operators for reward chiefly for international transport of passengers and/or goods” and therefore favourable conditions apply when importing such an aircraft.

These are as follows:

  • VAT is not chargeable when importing, acquiring, and/or leasing and aircraft destined to be put on an AOC.
  • VAT is not chargeable on services consisting of the modification and maintenance of the aircraft
  • VAT is not chargeable on the supplies of goods for the fuelling or provisioning of the aircraft.


 

Once this full importation procedure has been finalised, the aircraft will be deemed to be in free circulation within the European Union.

The procedure for the full importation of a privately operated aircraft into the EU via Malta is subject to the payment of VAT set at a rate of 18% on the value of the aircraft upon importation. An importation of an Aircraft destined for private use must complete the VAT payment procedure before having the aircraft imported. These two procedures are done back-to-back, and once the aircraft is in Malta, downtime is minimal.

For further queries, please contact the team at Vaia Legal, and we will provide you with the right information for your operations.

The team at Vaia Legal is highly experienced in the representation of all types of borrowers, lenders, sellers and investors, in the financing, leasing and trading of aircraft. We have advised on, as well as structured, numerous aircraft transactions, and thus garnered such knowledge and expertise.


Our services include assistance with aviation finance, and advising clients in the purchase and sale of aircraft, engines, and parts.

The team at Vaia Legal, together with their tax advisers, are positioned to assist with a tailor-made solution for those aircraft wishing to pay a VAT on the value of the aircraft.

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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.