Air Malta’s Chairman, Executive team, board of directors and employees have issued a statement to express their sorrow at the news that retired Captain Carmel (Charles) Massa has passed away at the age of 66.

Captain Massa was the first Maltese Captain to pilot an Air Malta aircraft on 8th October 1985 to Gatwick, London, aged 31.

When Air Malta was set up in the 70s, the airline’s captains were foreign while locals began aviation pilot training.

Captain Massa flew with Air Malta for 41 years, 31 of which he was a captain. In total, he clocked in 25,000 hours of flying time and oversaw take-off and landing duties for a total of 8,000 times.

His last flight was KM 612 towards Rome and back on 5th May 2016.

Air Malta sent their condolences to the Massa family.