Cap. 232 Art. 7Operator licences.

(1) The power to grant an operator licence, that is to say a licence to operate any air transport service or other purpose specified in the licence shall be vested in the Authority which shall grant to an air transport undertaking such a licence upon his being satisfied that the air transport undertaking meets the requirements of this Act and such other requirements as may be prescribed.

(2) An operator licence may be granted under such conditions including rights of access to specific routes or markets as may be specified in the licence.

(3) An application to the Authority for the grant of an operator licence shall contain such particulars and shall be accompanied by such fees as may be prescribed.

(4) An air transport undertaking providing an air transport service shall not be granted an operator licence unless it shows to the satisfaction of the Authority, whenever it is required by him so to do, that -

(a) its principal place of business and, if any, its registered office are located in Malta, and

(b) its main occupation is air transport in isolation or combined with any other commercial operation of aircraft or repair and maintenance of aircraft, and

(c) it is owned and continues to be owned directly or through majority ownership by Member States or nationals of Member States, who shall at all times have effective control of the air transport undertaking.

(5) The Authority shall only grant an operator licence to an applicant if such applicant is in possession of a valid Air Operator’s Certificate specifying the activities to be covered in the operator licence.

(6) The operator licence shall remain valid for as long as the air transport undertaking continues to meet the requirements for the issue thereof. The holder of the licence shall whenever requested by the Authority furnish him with all pertinent information that the Authority may require to be in a position to ascertain the continued validity of the licence.

(7) As soon as may be practicable after the grant of any licence under this article, the Authority shall cause notice thereof to be given in the Gazette.