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ARTICLE · 29 JULY 2026

Draft Rulebook On Aircraft Financial Leasing

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The Malta Financial Services Authority has published a second consultation paper introducing a comprehensive draft rulebook for aircraft financial leasing companies operating under a notification-based regime. This framework establishes detailed requirements covering eligibility thresholds, governance structures, due diligence protocols, and ongoing compliance obligations that will shape Malta's position in the international aviation finance market.

MaltaFinance and Banking
Dr. Joshua Chircop
Dr. Joshua Chircop
Dr. Nicholas Valenzia
Dr. Nicholas Valenzia
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Background: The First Phase of the MFSA Aircraft Leasing Consultation

On 5th January 2026, the Malta Financial Services Authority (the “MFSA”) published a consultation paper proposing a notification-based regime for aircraft financial leasing companies. The first phase of the consultation was covered in an earlier article. The core proposition is to create an alternative to full licensing under the Financial Institutions Act (Cap. 376) (the “Act”) allowing companies meeting a specified asset threshold to notify the MFSA and operate under a tailored, lighter-touch framework.

The said consultation invited feedback on the framework’s high-level design and the legislative amendments needed to implement it, including the insertion of a new exemption under Article 3B of the Act. The MFSA reported that industry feedback was positive.

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