The European Commission (EC) has launched an investigation into Medavia (Malta International) to determine whether the Malta-based carrier's ownership and shareholding conforms to bloc regulations.
The Times of Malta says the EC has information which shows Medavia is now owned by the Libyan Foreign Investment Co. (LAFICO). In addition, Brussels also has concerns over the fact that of the airline's board, six are Libyans while only one is Maltese and therefore a European national.
EC laws cap foreign-ownership in EU-registered carriers at 49% while effective control of said airlines must rest in the hands of EU nationals.
Medavia did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment.
Founded in 1978 as a joint venture between the Maltese and Libyan governments, Medavia caters primarily to the Libyan oil industry offering charter flights to remote extraction facilities in the Sahara desert. However, following the overthrow of Muammur Gaddafi's regime in 2011 and Libya's subsequent spiral into chaos, Medavia has now focused more on offering passenger charters to the Libyan, Maltese and Italian market in general. Its fleet currently consists of one Do328-100, one Dash 8-100, one Dash 8-300, and two Beech 1900Ds.
