Date: Thursday, 06 January 2005

Ref: 003-2005
The University of Malta and Air Malta plc today announced their joint participation in the FLYSAFE project. The FLYSAFE consortium, headed by THALES Avionics of France, brings together 35 top European industry and research organisations to develop the next generation safety avionics for commercial aircraft. Partners include AIRBUS, BAE Systems, Diehl Avionik Systeme, Rockwell Collins, DLR, NLR, UK Meteo, Cranfield University and Darmstadt University.

The consortium has successfully bid for a research contract in the 2nd call of the Aeronautics thematic area of EU Framework Programme 6 organised by the Research Directorate in Brussels. The FLYSAFE programme, worth in excess of 50Million, is scheduled to commence on the 1st of February and will last 4 years.

The Rector of the University of Malta, Professor Roger Ellul-Micallef together with Air Malta's Chief Operating Officer Joe Cappello, gave details of the joint participation during a joint press conference held at Air Malta's Presentation Room at the company's Head Office in Luqa.
Safety in Aviation is identified as fundamental for sustainable growth in Europe. FLYSAFE will be actively contributing to the target of a five-fold improvement in safety by developing safer on-board electronic systems. The research programme will focus primarily on the identification and mitigation of hazards such as potential collision with other aircraft and terrain, bad weather and air turbulence. FLYSAFE will put Europe at the leading edge of innovation and achievement in the field of air safety. It will develop systems that allow the most comprehensive and accurate awareness of the aircraft safety situation during all phases of the flight.

Speaking during the conference University Rector, Professor Ellul-Micallef said, "The University of Malta is very pleased to be participating in the FLYSAFE project and to be working in collaboration with such renowned institutions. Some are new partners, whilst others are centres with whom we have already previously collaborated. The University of Malta considers participation in the EU Framework Programmes as a confirmation of its capabilities and commitment towards cutting-edge research and development."

Joe Cappello, Air Malta's Chief Operating Officer said, "Air Malta's participation in the FLYSAFE Consortium as an equal partner is a clear recognition of the highest standards we embrace. Air Malta is proud to be at the forefront of aviation safety and through its experience help in the development of the next generation safety avionics for commercial aircraft."

The University of Malta will work on the development of warning systems that will alert the crew of an impending danger of collision on the ground and in the airport terminal area. The work, which is led by Dr. Ing. David Zammit-Mangion of the Faculty of Engineering, will be conducted in close collaboration with Cranfield University, who are responsible for the development of the displays associated with the systems.

Air Malta, under the direction of Captain Laurence Gatt, Manager Technical and Projects, will be providing end-user expertise to various activities within the whole programme. Air Malta will participate in the specification, development, integration, verification and validation of the systems developed. The validation of the completed systems, and proof of results, will be made by a set of simulations and flight tests, involving a representative team of test and transport pilots made available to the programme by Air Malta.

Air Malta fosters a deep safety culture within its organisation. This culture, which is also imbedded in its training programmes for operations and technical personnel, coupled with Air Malta's operational experience, will contribute in no small way towards the success of FLYSAFE.
The participation of the University of Malta, Air Malta and Cranfield University is worth 1.3Million and was initiated by Dr. Ing. Zammit-Mangion, who is the National Contact Point and Malta Delegate in the Programme Committee in Aeronautics in Framework Programme 6.

University of Malta
For more information, please contact:
Patricia Camilleri, Communications Office
Tel: +356 2340 2828
E-mail: patricia.camilleri@um.edu.mt

Air Malta
For more information, please contact:
Stephen Gauci, Officer Public Relations,
Tel.: +356 2299228  Fax: +356 21692861
Email: pr@airmalta.com.mt