Safety - Malta

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PRB monitoring

  • In 2025, MATS achieved the planned maturity levels set out in its performance plan for all five components of the EoSM.

  • The rate of runway incursions (RI) was 9.64 and equal to the RIs with ANS contribution, with both indicators significantly higher than the Union-wide average. Compared to 2024, rate of RIs has decreased at airport level but increased at airport level with ATS/CNS contribution.

  • The rate of separation minima infringements (SMIs) at State level was 3.00 and equal to the SMIs with ATS/CNS contribution, with both indicators lower than the Union-wide average. The rate of SMIs has increased slightly at both State level and ANSP level when comparing to 2024.

Effectiveness of Safety Management (EoSM) (KPI#1)

In 2025, MATS achieved the planned maturity levels set out in its performance plan for all five components of the EoSM.

As described in the in the monitoring report, the ANSP initially proposed that some areas achieved D level. However, following NCA verification, these areas which were considered not to sufficiently demonstrate level D and were therefore assigned an actual value of C in the EOSM.

As further outlined in the monitoring report, the way the SMS is set, the continuous improvement process managed under MATS Quality Pillar (ISO 9001-2015), and the structure of the SQSC include, as one of the annual activity indicators, an internal safety performance report based on data extraction across all areas, including CNS availability, service delivery, management of occurrences (SMIs and RIs), and other required indicators. This provides MATS with an overview to support the management of results and the improvement of performance.

As also noted in the monitoring report, MATS completed a safety culture survey last year, which indicated that all safety targets were achieved.

Safety occurrences

Rate of runway incursions (RIs) (PI#1) and Rate of runway incursion with ANS contribution (PI#3)

Rate of RIs per 100,000 airport movements - Malta
# Airport name APT movements Number of RI Rate RI per 100,000 Number of RI with ANS contribution Rate RI per 100,000 with ANS contribution
1 Malta International 72,607 7 9.64 7 9.64

Malta reported 7 runway incursions (RI) at Luqa airport during 2025. When comparing the rate of RIs at airport level to Union-wide level, Malta was significantly higher than Union-wide average (9.64 vs 2.70).

Malta reported 7 RIs with ANS contribution in 2025. When comparing the rate of RIs at airport level with ANS contribution, Malta was significantly higher than Union-wide average (9.64 vs 0.87).

The rate of runway incursions has decreased compared to 2024 at airport level (9.64 vs 16.97) but increased at ANS contribution-level (9.64 vs 5.66).

As described in the monitoring report, a significant number of infrastructure works are ongoing at LMML. The aerodrome now includes the new Apron 8 lightning system, new stop bars, and resurfacing works, which have impacted MATS TWR operations. MATS routinely briefs the ATCO community and discusses progress with MIA and the NCA with a view to identify and implement improvements. MATS also briefs occurrences in the spot training, consisting of tailor-made exercises replicating actual occurrences used for training purposes.

Rate of separation minima infringements (SMIs) (PI#2) and Rate of separation minima infringements with ANS contribution (PI#4)

Rate of SMI with ANS contribution per 100,000 flight hours
# ANSP
Flight hours
Number of SMIs with ANS contribution
Rate of SMI with ANS contribution per 100,000 flight hours
% variation in rate of SMIs
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
1 MATS 166,484 NA NA NA NA 5 NA NA NA NA 3.0 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

At State level, Malta reported 5 separation minima infringements (SMI) in their airspace
during 2025. The rate of separation minima infringements was lower than the Union-wide average (3.00 vs 7.87). At ANSP level, Malta reported 5 SMI with ANS contribution. The rate of separation minima infringements at ANSP level was lower than the Union-wide average (3.00 vs 6.02).

When comparing to 2024, the rate of separation minima infringements has increased slightly at both State level (3.00 vs 2.91) and at ANSP level (3.00 vs 2.91).

As reported in the monitoring report, the SMI PI is maintaining its trend and remains in the extremely low zone. Furthermore, MATS monitors, investigates, and briefs the ATCOs to ensure that achievement trends in this area are maintained and ATCOs are briefed annually on all SMIs and RIs. MATS considers that 5 SMIs in 2025 is a very low figure given the increase in traffic achieved.