Aircraft Engine Ownership And Security Rights Under Maltese Law

The ownership and security rights over aircraft engines in Malta are governed by two complementary legal frameworks: domestic legislation, mainly the Aircraft Registration Act¹ (the "Act"), and the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment (the "Convention") and its Aircraft Protocol as implemented into Maltese law and reproduced in the First Schedule to the Act. While the Act does not cater for the separate registration of aircraft engines, the Convention and the Protocol have the force of law in Malta and prevail over any other law in case of conflict. The protection granted to owners of aircraft engines, particularly financiers and lessors, must therefore be analysed in terms of the rights granted and protection afforded under both regimes.