Tight security measures for Richard Cachia Caruana’s travel plans

Richard Cachia Caruana's travel arrangements were prepared with obsessive focus: his arrival at Malta International Airport was traditionally accompanied by a sense of anxiety from most of the personnel involved.

On the few occasions I accompanied him, he was greeted by Air Malta managers in airports abroad. Time was effectively wasted by these managers to simply linger around until Cachia Caruana would have boarded his plane.

Naturally, all flights were in club class, preluded by time spent inside the VIP lounge. His self-importance was manifested by his insistence that airport personnel meet him on the apron - this for the prime minister's personal assistant, not for a Cabinet minister.

His preference for police superintendent Godfrey Scicluna may explain why Scicluna would later be assigned the post of head of the Malta security service (MSS). Scicluna resigned in 2013 when MaltaToday broke the news that the police had failed to investigate a complaint that the MSS chief had hit an elderly man with his car.

Mr Richard Cachia Caruana's Travel

Security Arrangements

Personal Travel (by Air) / Official Travel (through ministerial/VIP lounge)

Mr Cachia Caruana's secretary to inform Superintendent Godfrey Scicluna regarding  flight details as soon as these are finalised (a minimum of 48 hours before departure).

Superintendent Godfrey Scicluna to liaise with Mr Mario Bugeja, Assistant Manager, Airport Security.

48 hours before departure

Mr Cachia Caruana's secretary to confirm with Superintendent Godfrey Scicluna that all arrangements regarding his personal security detail on day of departure have been made and that Airport Security have been advised.

On day of departure

Mr Cachia Caruana arrives at the [depatures/ministerial/VIP] section, MIA, accompanied by his Personal Security Officers.

Assistant Manager, Airport Security (or his representative) to meet Mr Cachia Caruana in Departures section and accompany him on to the apron and up to the aircraft.

Once Mr Cachia Caruana leaves, his Personal Security Officers are to take Mr Cachia Caruana's car to the Police Headquarters to be garaged.  The keys are to be handed over to Superintendent Scicluna immediately and are to be kept in his possession until Mr Cachia Caruana's Personal Security Officers collect the car on day of arrival.

48 hours before Arrival

Mr Cachia Caruana's secretary to confirm with Superintendent Godfrey Scicluna that all arrangements regarding his personal security detail on day of departure have been made and that Airport Security have been advised.

Superintendent Godfrey Scicluna to liaise with Assistant Manager, Airport Security as necessary.

On day of Arrival

Mr Cachia Caruana's Secretary to confirm with Superintendent Godfrey Scicluna that Personal Security Officers on duty that day have been advised regarding flight details.

Personal Security Officers to collect Mr Cachia Caruana's car from the Police Headquarters on the day of arrival.

Once Mr Cachia Caruana's flight lands at MIA, the Assistant Manager, Airport Security (or his representative) is to meet Mr Cachia Caruana as he leaves the aircraft and accompany him throughout baggage collection and Customs clearance, and into the Arrivals section where his Personal Security Officers are to be waiting.