Malta International Airport
Encyclopedia
Malta International Airport
is the only airport
in Malta
and it serves the whole Maltese Archipelago. It is located between Luqa
and Gudja
. It occupies the location of the former RAF Luqa
and was completely re-furbished, becoming fully operational on 25 March 1992. It is still referred to by locals as Luqa Airport, and sometimes as Valletta Airport internationally, as it is located 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of the Maltese capital Valletta
.
The airport serves as the main hub
for Air Malta
, though many other airlines also fly to the airport, including many holiday airlines. The airport is operated by Malta International Airport plc, a public limited company
. It also hosts the Area Control Centre
. The airport hosts the annual Malta Airshow, visited by military and civil aircraft from various European and other countries.
On 4 March 2010, Ryanair
announced the reaching of a 5-year agreement to make Malta International Airport its 41st base. One aircraft was based as of 17 May 2010.
MIA's core air terminal
operations include general passenger services, and the operation of an extensive range of retail services at the airport, airside and landside shops, restaurants and other outlets, which are all operated on concession agreements. MIA also leases office space to airlines and other travel related operators at the airport. Malta International Airport is a member of the ACI-EUROPE (Airports Council International
- Europe) and a number of company officials sit on specialised committees and working groups within this council.
In 2010 Malta International Airport was awarded the title of "Most Noteworthy Airport for a New Small Budget Programme" by Passenger Terminal World
) and Luqa. During the Second World War
, the airfields at Ta' Qali and Hal Far were severely battered and civil operations subsequently centred on Luqa Airport.
The increase in passenger handling and aircraft movements necessitated the construction of a civil air terminal. Preparations started in 1956 and the British Government
mainly financed what was then a Lm
300,000 (approx €700,000) project. Malta's new passenger air terminal at Luqa was inaugurated on 31 March 1958 by the then Governor of Malta Sir Robert Laycock
. The air terminal consisted of two floors including some basic facilities such as a restaurant, a post office, a cable and wireless office and a viewing balcony for the public.
Air traffic constantly increased and new airlines with larger aircraft started operations. The introduction of jet aircraft decreased flying times and consequently attracted more people to travel by air.
In October 1977, a new and longer runway was launched and works commenced on the extension and refurbishment of the air terminal. An arrivals lounge and another lounge dedicated to VIPs were added and the original part of the terminal building was used for departures.
This refurbishment was not enough as it still lacked certain essential facilities. Immediately after the change in Government in 1987, the new administration decided that the 35-year-old terminal was past its time and therefore gave the green light for the construction of a new air terminal along Park 9.
Until the construction of the new air terminal was completed, the Government
embarked on a further upgrade of the old air terminal. The facilities introduced included air conditioning, new baggage carousel
s, flight information monitors, computerised check-in desks
, a new floor surface and new retail outlets including a larger duty free area
.
The foundation stone of the present air terminal was laid in September 1989 and inaugurated in record time 29 months later in February 1992. Malta International Airport became fully operational on March 25, 1992, and the old Luqa passenger terminal was effectively closed down after 35 years.
, Brussels
, San Francisco
, Stockholm
, Heathrow
, Changi
, Barcelona and Vienna
, which were also awarded.
The Passenger Terminal World Annual 2010 said "When a new terminal can cost US$1.5 billion it is hard to think that many wonderful airports are being developed for a fraction of that sum, but Malta Airport is one such. With its current development programme it is a small airport with big plans – improving the commercial offer, enlarging security and other essential services, and gaining plaudits from the country's population."
In addition it also won Best Airport in its category (1-5 million passengers) at the ACI Europe Awards and the Best Airport in Europe across all categories in the ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ Survey).
Arriva Malta buses serve the airport. A mixture of Express services and local services are available.
Express Services
Other Local Services
The following routes pass through the airport, but are not express services.
Night Buses
Services run between 2300 and 0400 on Friday and Saturday evenings, all year round.
There is also an airport to hotel shuttle service that can be pre booked online.
The MetOffice provides the following services
All equipment, other than the Doppler Weather Radar
, is enhanced by automatic weather station
s, of which eight are situated in Malta and Gozo
. At the same time an aerodrome weather observation system
is located at the airport and meets World Meteorological Organization
/International Civil Aviation Organization
standards. All of the automated stations meet the ISO 9001:2008
standards.
The MetOffice is able to get information from the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología
in Madrid
and the UK's
Met Office
along with numerical weather models
such as those provided by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
in Reading
, England
.
Car hire companies are located in the Welcomers' Hall and include Active Car Rental, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Dollar Thrifty, Sixt and First Active Car Rental.
Taxis are available 24 hours a day from the airport to any destination in Malta. Fixed rates are applicable and pre-paid tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth inside the Welcomers' Hall on Arrivals. Alternatively it is recommended to book a private hire cab prior to your arrival. Reputable companies include Active cabs, Swansea cabs and Malta car bookers
The airport car parking has considerably increased during 2009. It offers therefore a larger capacity for parking handled and managed by MIA.
Malta International Airport has improved services for disabled and reduced mobility people to ensure an easier transit through the airport terminal to the aircraft and similarly on return. The terminal has wheelchair-accessible toilets, ramps and low-level payphones. Reserved parking spaces are available in the car park. Wheelchairs are available on request from the Customer Services Centre.
Through La Valette Club, VIP members have an access to lounges: La Valette Lounge (departures and arrivals). Internet access is available to lounge users with a free Wi-Fi throughout the area.
Fully equipped business and conference rooms are available on request.
La Valette Club has recetly added more facilities at Malta International Airport, one of them being the new conference room. This space is ideal for large- scale meetings or events and has the option of being converted into two sound proof rooms accessed by separate doors.
Best Airport in its category (1-5 million passengers) at the ACI Europe Awards and the Best Airport in Europe across all categories in the ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ Survey).
(BRE Environmental Assessment Method) certification to become the island's first Grade A office park.
The complex will house various facilities, including food and beverage outlets, a bank, a stationary shop and convenience store. Moreover, it will provide a fitness and wellness centre, a childcare centre and a large car park with over 160 spaces.
International airport
An international airport is any airport that can accommodate flights from other countries and are typically equipped with customs and immigration facilities to handle these flights to and from other countries...
is the only airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
and it serves the whole Maltese Archipelago. It is located between Luqa
Luqa
Ħal Luqa is a village located in the south east of Malta. It is an old town that has a dense population, typical of the Maltese Islands. The population of Ħal Luqa is 6,028 . There is a church in its main square dedicated to St. Andrew. The traditional feast of St...
and Gudja
Gudja
Gudja is a village in Malta with a population of 2,901 . The village is located on a small hill south of the city of Valletta overlooking Malta International Airport....
. It occupies the location of the former RAF Luqa
RAF Luqa
Royal Air Force Luqa was a flying station and location of RAF Mediterranean Command headquarters of the Royal Air Force on the island of Malta during World War II...
and was completely re-furbished, becoming fully operational on 25 March 1992. It is still referred to by locals as Luqa Airport, and sometimes as Valletta Airport internationally, as it is located 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of the Maltese capital Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
.
The airport serves as the main hub
Airline hub
An airline hub is an airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination. It is part of a hub and spoke model, where travelers moving between airports not served by direct flights change planes en route to their destinations...
for Air Malta
Air Malta
Air Malta plc is the national airline of Malta, headquartered in Luqa. It operates services to 36 destinations in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. The airline's hub and base is at Malta International Airport.- History :...
, though many other airlines also fly to the airport, including many holiday airlines. The airport is operated by Malta International Airport plc, a public limited company
Public limited company
A public limited company is a limited liability company that sells shares to the public in United Kingdom company law, in the Republic of Ireland and Commonwealth jurisdictions....
. It also hosts the Area Control Centre
Area Control Center
In air traffic control, an Area Control Center , also known as a Center, is a facility responsible for controlling instrument flight rules aircraft en route in a particular volume of airspace at high altitudes between airport approaches and departures...
. The airport hosts the annual Malta Airshow, visited by military and civil aircraft from various European and other countries.
On 4 March 2010, Ryanair
Ryanair
Ryanair is an Irish low-cost airline. Its head office is at Dublin Airport and its primary operational bases at Dublin Airport and London Stansted Airport....
announced the reaching of a 5-year agreement to make Malta International Airport its 41st base. One aircraft was based as of 17 May 2010.
MIA's core air terminal
Airport terminal
An airport terminal is a building at an airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from aircraft....
operations include general passenger services, and the operation of an extensive range of retail services at the airport, airside and landside shops, restaurants and other outlets, which are all operated on concession agreements. MIA also leases office space to airlines and other travel related operators at the airport. Malta International Airport is a member of the ACI-EUROPE (Airports Council International
Airports Council International
Airports Council International is the association of the world’s airports. It is a non profit organization, whose prime purpose is to advance the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations...
- Europe) and a number of company officials sit on specialised committees and working groups within this council.
In 2010 Malta International Airport was awarded the title of "Most Noteworthy Airport for a New Small Budget Programme" by Passenger Terminal World
History
The first civil airfield was constructed at Ta' Qali, followed by others at Ħal Far (RAF Hal FarRAF Hal Far
The RAF Hal Far airfield in Malta, titled HMS Falcon during the Royal Navy base, was constructed and opened on 1 April 1929, and was used by Royal Navy air crews. It was the first permanent airfield to be built in Malta. It was transferred to the Maltese Government and redeveloped as from January...
) and Luqa. During the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the airfields at Ta' Qali and Hal Far were severely battered and civil operations subsequently centred on Luqa Airport.
The increase in passenger handling and aircraft movements necessitated the construction of a civil air terminal. Preparations started in 1956 and the British Government
Government of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Government is the central government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Government is led by the Prime Minister, who selects all the remaining Ministers...
mainly financed what was then a Lm
Maltese lira
The lira was the currency of Malta from 1972 until 31 December 2007. The lira was abbreviated as Lm, although the traditional ₤ sign was often used locally...
300,000 (approx €700,000) project. Malta's new passenger air terminal at Luqa was inaugurated on 31 March 1958 by the then Governor of Malta Sir Robert Laycock
Robert Laycock
Major General Sir Robert Edward Laycock KCMG, CB, DSO, KStJ was a British soldier, most famous for his service with the commandos during the Second World War...
. The air terminal consisted of two floors including some basic facilities such as a restaurant, a post office, a cable and wireless office and a viewing balcony for the public.
Air traffic constantly increased and new airlines with larger aircraft started operations. The introduction of jet aircraft decreased flying times and consequently attracted more people to travel by air.
In October 1977, a new and longer runway was launched and works commenced on the extension and refurbishment of the air terminal. An arrivals lounge and another lounge dedicated to VIPs were added and the original part of the terminal building was used for departures.
This refurbishment was not enough as it still lacked certain essential facilities. Immediately after the change in Government in 1987, the new administration decided that the 35-year-old terminal was past its time and therefore gave the green light for the construction of a new air terminal along Park 9.
Until the construction of the new air terminal was completed, the Government
Government of Malta
The Government of Malta is the executive branch of Malta. It is made up of the Cabinet and the Parliamentary Secretaries. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of Malta, with the President making his or her decision based on the situation within the Maltese parliament. The Prime...
embarked on a further upgrade of the old air terminal. The facilities introduced included air conditioning, new baggage carousel
Baggage carousel
A baggage carousel is a device, generally at an airport, that delivers checked luggage to the passengers at the baggage claim area at their final destination. Not all airports use these devices...
s, flight information monitors, computerised check-in desks
Airport check-in
Airport check-in uses service counters found at commercial airports handling commercial air travel. The check-in is normally handled by an airline itself or a handling agent working on behalf of an airline...
, a new floor surface and new retail outlets including a larger duty free area
Duty-free shop
Duty-free shops are retail outlets that are exempt from the payment of certain local or national taxes and duties, on the requirement that the goods sold will be sold to travelers who will take them out of the country...
.
The foundation stone of the present air terminal was laid in September 1989 and inaugurated in record time 29 months later in February 1992. Malta International Airport became fully operational on March 25, 1992, and the old Luqa passenger terminal was effectively closed down after 35 years.
Awards
In 2010 Malta International Airport was awarded the title of "Most Noteworthy Airport for a New Small Budget Programme" by Passenger Terminal World, the international review of airport design, technology, security, operations and management. The airport is classified among the top 15 airports worldwide, joining DubaiDubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
, Brussels
Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is an international airport northeast of Brussels, Belgium. The airport is partially in Zaventem and partially in the Diegem area of Machelen, both located in the Flemish Region of Belgium.Brussels Airport currently consists of 54 contact gates, and a total of 109 gates...
, San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport is a major international airport located south of downtown San Francisco, California, United States, near the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno in unincorporated San Mateo County. It is often referred to as SFO...
, Stockholm
Stockholm-Arlanda Airport
Stockholm Arlanda Airport , is an international airport located in the Sigtuna Municipality of Sweden, near the town of Märsta, north of Stockholm and nearly , by road, south-east of Uppsala....
, Heathrow
London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe...
, Changi
Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore Changi Airport , Changi International Airport, or simply Changi Airport, is the main airport in Singapore. A major aviation hub in Southeast Asia, it is about north-east from the commercial centre in Changi, on a site....
, Barcelona and Vienna
Vienna International Airport
Vienna International Airport , located in Schwechat and southeast of central Vienna, is the busiest and biggest airport in Austria. It is often referred to as Schwechat, the name of the county it is in. The airport is capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340...
, which were also awarded.
The Passenger Terminal World Annual 2010 said "When a new terminal can cost US$1.5 billion it is hard to think that many wonderful airports are being developed for a fraction of that sum, but Malta Airport is one such. With its current development programme it is a small airport with big plans – improving the commercial offer, enlarging security and other essential services, and gaining plaudits from the country's population."
In addition it also won Best Airport in its category (1-5 million passengers) at the ACI Europe Awards and the Best Airport in Europe across all categories in the ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ Survey).
Airlines and destinations
Statistics
| Rank | Airport | Passengers handled | % Change (vs 2009) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London Gatwick Airport London Gatwick Airport Gatwick Airport is located 3.1 miles north of the centre of Crawley, West Sussex, and south of Central London. Previously known as London Gatwick,In 2010, the name changed from London Gatwick Airport to Gatwick Airport... |
288,534 | 6.36 |
| 2 |  Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport |
231,432 | 37.95 |
| 3 | London Heathrow Airport London Heathrow Airport London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe... |
197,182 | 1.51 |
| 4 | Manchester Airport | 182,097 | 4.49 |
| 5 |  Frankfurt AirportFrankfurt Airport Frankfurt Airport may refer to:Airports of Frankfurt, Germany:*Frankfurt Airport , the largest airport in Germany*Frankfurt Egelsbach Airport, a general aviation airport*Frankfurt-Hahn Airport , a converted U.S... |
181,459 | 3.08 |
| 6 | Munich Airport |
108,039 | 9.78 |
| 7 | London Luton Airport London Luton Airport London Luton Airport is an international airport located east of the town centre in the Borough of Luton in Bedfordshire, England and is north of Central London. The airport is from Junction 10a of the M1 motorway... |
98,307 | 6.99 |
| 8 | Malpensa Airport Malpensa Airport Milano Malpensa Airport "City of Milan" , former "Aeroporto Città di Milano" is Milan's largest airport. It is located 39.97 km northwest of central Milan, Italy... |
81,801 | 54.65 |
| 9 | Catania-Fontanarossa Airport Catania-Fontanarossa Airport -See also:*Palermo Airport Falcone e Borsellino - also known as Punta Raisi Airport, another of Sicily's international airports* Trapani Birgi Airport Vincenzo Florio - another of Sicily's international airports... |
74,840 | 8.68 |
| 10 |  Brussels AirportBrussels Airport Brussels Airport is an international airport northeast of Brussels, Belgium. The airport is partially in Zaventem and partially in the Diegem area of Machelen, both located in the Flemish Region of Belgium.Brussels Airport currently consists of 54 contact gates, and a total of 109 gates... |
73,249 | 4.32 |
| Rank | Airline | Aircraft Movements | % Change (vs 2009) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Malta Air Malta Air Malta plc is the national airline of Malta, headquartered in Luqa. It operates services to 36 destinations in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. The airline's hub and base is at Malta International Airport.- History :... |
15,939 | 0.24 |
| 2 | Ryanair Ryanair Ryanair is an Irish low-cost airline. Its head office is at Dublin Airport and its primary operational bases at Dublin Airport and London Stansted Airport.... |
4,815 | 55.02 |
| 3 | EasyJet EasyJet EasyJet Airline Company Limited is a British airline headquartered at London Luton Airport. It carries more passengers than any other United Kingdom-based airline, operating domestic and international scheduled services on 500 routes between 118 European, North African, and West Asian airports... |
2,326 | 79.48 |
| 4 | Lufthansa Lufthansa Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating... |
747 | 1.19 |
| 5 | Emirates | 736 | 0.27 |
| 6 | Alitalia Alitalia Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. , in its later stages known as Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. in Extraordinary Administration, was the former Italian flag carrier... |
728 | 0.27 |
| 7 | Libyan Airlines | 475 | 52.73 |
| 8 | Vueling Airlines Vueling Airlines Vueling Airlines SA , commonly shortened to Vueling, is an airline based in El Prat de Llobregat, near Barcelona , where it maintains its main operating base... |
336 | 13.51 |
| 9 | Thomas Cook Airlines Thomas Cook Airlines Thomas Cook Airlines is a British charter airline based in Manchester, England. It serves main holiday resorts worldwide, from its main bases at Manchester and Gatwick.The airline also operates services from nine other bases in the United Kingdom.... |
320 | 2.44 |
| 10 | EgyptAir EgyptAir EgyptAir is the flag carrier airline of Egypt and a member of Star Alliance. The airline is based at Cairo International Airport, its main hub, operating scheduled passenger and freight services to more than 75 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas... |
292 | 39.05 |
| Rank | Airline | Passengers 2010 | Passengers 2009 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Malta Air Malta Air Malta plc is the national airline of Malta, headquartered in Luqa. It operates services to 36 destinations in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. The airline's hub and base is at Malta International Airport.- History :... |
1,681,197 | 1,638,641 | 42,556 | 2.6% |
| 2 | Ryanair Ryanair Ryanair is an Irish low-cost airline. Its head office is at Dublin Airport and its primary operational bases at Dublin Airport and London Stansted Airport.... |
675,637 | 444.527 | 231,110 | 52% |
| 3 | easyJet EasyJet EasyJet Airline Company Limited is a British airline headquartered at London Luton Airport. It carries more passengers than any other United Kingdom-based airline, operating domestic and international scheduled services on 500 routes between 118 European, North African, and West Asian airports... |
303,000 | 182,821 | 120,179 | 66% |
| 4 | Lufthansa Lufthansa Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating... |
111,125 | 113,320 | -2,195 | 2% |
| 5 | Emirates | 95,660 | 110,161 | -14,501 | 13% |
| 6 | Others | 190,107 | 225,803 | -35,696 | 16% |
| Total | All Airlines | 3,293,527 | 2,918,664 | 374,863 | 12.8% |
Traffic
There was a significant increase in the volume of traffic that passed trough Malta International Airport in 2010. Passengers were up by 12.8% from the previous year, aircraft movements were up by 10%.Bus
Malta International Airport is well-served by public transport.Arriva Malta buses serve the airport. A mixture of Express services and local services are available.
Express Services
| Route Number | Route (& vice versa) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| X1 | Airport - Marsa Park & Ride - Pembroke Park & Ride - Mellieħa - Ċirkewwa | Every 60 mins. |
| X2 | Airport - Paola - Marsa Park & Ride - Mater Dei - San Ġiljan (St Julians) | Every 30 mins. |
| X3 | Airport - Paola - Marsa Park & Ride - Birkirkara - Attard - Rabat - Mosta - Buġibba | Every 30 mins. |
| X4 | Valletta - Marsa Park & Ride - Airport - Birżebbuġa | Every 15 mins. |
| X5 | Valletta - Marsa Park & Ride - Airport - Birżebbuġa - Iż-Żejtun - Marsaskala | Every 30 mins. |
Other Local Services
The following routes pass through the airport, but are not express services.
| Route Number | Route (& vice versa) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 117 | Airport - Ħal Kirkop - Ħal Safi - Żurrieq - Qrendi - Mqabba - Airport | Every 30 mins. |
| 118 | Airport - Mqabba - Qrendi - Żurrieq - Ħal Kirkop - Airport | Every 30 mins. |
| 135 | Airport - Gudja - Bir id-Deheb - Żejtun - Marsaskala | Every 30 mins. |
| 201 | Airport - Żurrieq - Blue Grotto - Siġġiewi - Dingli - Rabat - Baħrija | Every 60 mins. |
Night Buses
Services run between 2300 and 0400 on Friday and Saturday evenings, all year round.
| Route Number | Route (& vice versa) |
|---|---|
| N71 | San Ġiljan (St Julians) - Paola - Airport - Żurrieq - Qrendi - Mqabba |
| N72 | San Ġiljan (St Julians) - Paola - Ħal Tarxien - Żejtun - Bir id-Deheb - Gudja - Airport |
There is also an airport to hotel shuttle service that can be pre booked online.
Car
The airport is located 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of the capital, Valletta. The city centre and airport are both clearly signposted.Malta Airport MetOffice
The Malta Airport MetOffice is part of the Malta International Airport and provides the function of a national meteorological service for Malta. Although they primarily serve aviation they also service the public sector.The MetOffice provides the following services
- A five day weather forecastWeather forecastingWeather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the atmosphere for a given location. Human beings have attempted to predict the weather informally for millennia, and formally since the nineteenth century...
which includes highest and lowest temperatures, prevailing weather, current temperature, wind direction and speed. - A detailed daily forecast updated every 6/8 hours.
- Detailed weather observations on a daily basis.
- A three day forecast for mariners.
- A UV Index and a Heat Stress IndexHeat indexThe heat index is an index that combines air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature — how hot it feels, termed the felt air temperature. The human body normally cools itself by perspiration, or sweating, which evaporates and carries...
. - Graphic images of the wind direction and speed, and temperatures within the MediterraneanMediterranean BasinIn biogeography, the Mediterranean Basin refers to the lands around the Mediterranean Sea that have a Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers, which supports characteristic Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub vegetation...
. - An isobar chartWeather mapA weather map displays various meteorological features across a particular area at a particular point in time. Such maps have been in use since the mid-19th century and are used for research and weather forecasting purposes. Maps using isotherms show temperature gradients, which can help locate...
and satellite images of the prevailing weather.
All equipment, other than the Doppler Weather Radar
Weather radar
Weather radar, also called weather surveillance radar and Doppler weather radar, is a type of radar used to locate precipitation, calculate its motion, estimate its type . Modern weather radars are mostly pulse-Doppler radars, capable of detecting the motion of rain droplets in addition to the...
, is enhanced by automatic weather station
Automatic weather station
An automatic weather station is an automated version of the traditional weather station, either to save human labour or to enable measurements from remote areas...
s, of which eight are situated in Malta and Gozo
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
. At the same time an aerodrome weather observation system
Automated airport weather station
Automated airport weather stations are automated sensor suites which are designed to serve aviation and meteorological observing needs for safe and efficient aviation operations and weather forecasting...
is located at the airport and meets World Meteorological Organization
World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 189 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization , which was founded in 1873...
/International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
standards. All of the automated stations meet the ISO 9001:2008
ISO 9000
The ISO 9000 family of standards relates to quality management systems and is designed to help organizations ensure they meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders . The standards are published by ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, and available through National...
standards.
The MetOffice is able to get information from the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología
Agencia Estatal de Meteorología
Agencia Estatal de Meteorología, AEMET is the Spain's meteorological agency, under the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino ....
in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
and the UK's
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Met Office
Met Office
The Met Office , is the United Kingdom's national weather service, and a trading fund of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
along with numerical weather models
Numerical weather prediction
Numerical weather prediction uses mathematical models of the atmosphere and oceans to predict the weather based on current weather conditions. Though first attempted in the 1920s, it was not until the advent of computer simulation in the 1950s that numerical weather predictions produced realistic...
such as those provided by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts is an independent intergovernmental organisation supported by 19 European Member States and 15 Co-operating States...
in Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Transport and parking
Taxis are available 24 hours a day from the airport to any destination in Malta. Fixed rates are applicable and pre-paid tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth inside the Welcomers' Hall on Arrivals. Alternatively it is recommended to book a private hire cab prior to your arrival. Reputable companies include Active cabs, Swansea cabs and Malta car bookers
The airport car parking has considerably increased during 2009. It offers therefore a larger capacity for parking handled and managed by MIA.
Shopping and eating
You can find several shops at the airport, including news kiosk, florist and tax-free outlets. A good selection of renowned brands is available at the outlets. The shopping experience is completed with varied choice of Food and Beverage outlets. A number of them are accessible to the public (arrivals and check-in hall area). It has also opened a new food court - the Jet Express - inside the Departure Lounge. Jet Express is the latest addition to the array of outlets under the Airport Value brand and provides an open-air court offering a large variety of beverages, snacks and hot meals.Facilities
Automated money exchange dispensers and ATM are available on the passengers area and arrivals. Also a 24 hour service of exchange bureau can be find on arrivals area. In addition, there is a post office and a telecommunications centre, located in the terminal. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the airport. A left luggage service is available 24-hours a day, as is a luggage secure-wrapping service.Malta International Airport has improved services for disabled and reduced mobility people to ensure an easier transit through the airport terminal to the aircraft and similarly on return. The terminal has wheelchair-accessible toilets, ramps and low-level payphones. Reserved parking spaces are available in the car park. Wheelchairs are available on request from the Customer Services Centre.
Through La Valette Club, VIP members have an access to lounges: La Valette Lounge (departures and arrivals). Internet access is available to lounge users with a free Wi-Fi throughout the area.
Fully equipped business and conference rooms are available on request.
La Valette Club has recetly added more facilities at Malta International Airport, one of them being the new conference room. This space is ideal for large- scale meetings or events and has the option of being converted into two sound proof rooms accessed by separate doors.
Service quality
The company has invested thoroughly, not only in developing further the amenities within the terminal, but especially in intensive training of its staff to ensure that the service levels are enhanced. These efforts were recognised by two prestigious international awards:Best Airport in its category (1-5 million passengers) at the ACI Europe Awards and the Best Airport in Europe across all categories in the ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ Survey).
Skyparks Business Centrer
Located within the grounds of Malta International Airport, Skyparks is situated in one of Malta's most commercially oriented districts. With a foodprint of 3100 m² (3,708 sq yd) square meters over 9 floors, the business centre is constructed in an energy efficiency ethic way. It is the first building in Malta to have applied for BREEAMBREEAM
BRE Environmental Assessment Method is a voluntary measurement rating for green buildings that was established in the UK by the Building Research Establishment . Since its inception it has since grown in scope and geographically, being exported in various guises across the globe...
(BRE Environmental Assessment Method) certification to become the island's first Grade A office park.
The complex will house various facilities, including food and beverage outlets, a bank, a stationary shop and convenience store. Moreover, it will provide a fitness and wellness centre, a childcare centre and a large car park with over 160 spaces.
Incidents and accidents
- On 5 January 1960, Vickers ViscountVickers ViscountThe Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
G-AMNY of British European AirwaysBritish European AirwaysBritish European Airways or British European Airways Corporation was a British airline which existed from 1946 until 1974. The airline operated European and North African routes from airports around the United Kingdom...
was damaged beyond economic repair at Luqa when it departed the runway after landing following a loss of hydraulic pressure. - On 25 November 1973, Luqa Airport witnessed the landing of KLM Flight 861. The aircraft named "Mississippi", was a Boeing 747Boeing 747The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
hijacked by three young Arabs over IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
i airspace on a scheduled AmsterdamAmsterdamAmsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
-TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
flight with 247 passengers on board, after the hijackers threatened to blow up the plane when no country would grant landing permission. Most of the passengers and the eight stewardesses were released after negotiations with the Maltese PMPrime Minister of MaltaThe Prime Minister of Malta is the Head of Government of Malta.-Establishment of the office and developments:The office of "Head of Ministry" was created as soon as Malta was granted autonomous government in 1921. The 1921 constitution was suspended twice before being revoked...
Dom MintoffDom MintoffDom Mintoff is a Maltese politician, journalist and architect, who served as leader of the Labour Party from 1949 to 1984, Prime Minister of Malta from 1955 to 1958 and again, post-Independence, from 1971 to...
who argued with the hijackers that the plane could not possibly take off with both the passengers and the 27,000 gallons of fuel they had demanded given the (then) short runway. With 11 passengers on board the jumbo jet left Malta to DubaiDubaiDubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
where the incident ended without fatalities. The hijack was claimed by the Arab Nationalist Youth Organization. - On 23 November 1985, Luqa Airport was the scene of one of the deadliest aircraft hijackingsAircraft hijackingAircraft hijacking is the unlawful seizure of an aircraft by an individual or a group. In most cases, the pilot is forced to fly according to the orders of the hijackers. Occasionally, however, the hijackers have flown the aircraft themselves, such as the September 11 attacks of 2001...
in aviation history. EgyptAir Flight 648EgyptAir Flight 648EgyptAir Flight 648 was a Boeing 737-200 airliner, registered SU-AYH, hijacked on November 23, 1985 by the terrorist organization Abu Nidal. The subsequent raid on the aircraft by Egyptian troops resulted in dozens of deaths, making the hijacking of Flight 648 one of the deadliest such incidents in...
was forced to land in Malta en–route to LibyaLibyaLibya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
. Unit 777Unit 777Unit 777 , also known as Task Force 777, is an Egyptian military counter-terrorism and special operations unit created in 1977 by the government of Anwar Sadat in response to concerns of increased terrorist activity following the expulsion of Soviet military advisors from the country by Sadat and...
of the EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian counter-terrorismCounter-terrorismCounter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
forces was dispatched to deal with the incident. Storming of the Boeing 737Boeing 737The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
, reluctantly authorised by Maltese officials after five hostages were shot, resulted in the death of over 60 passengers plus several security personnel, aircrew and members of the hijackers, the Abu Nidal OrganizationAbu NidalAbu Nidal , born Sabri Khalil al-Banna , was the founder of Fatah–The Revolutionary Council , a militant Palestinian group more commonly known as the Abu Nidal Organization...
. - Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was convicted for the LockerbieLockerbieLockerbie is a town in the Dumfries and Galloway region of south-western Scotland. It lies approximately from Glasgow, and from the English border. It had a population of 4,009 at the 2001 census...
bombing on the theory that he loaded a bomb onto Air Malta Flight KM180 Malta-FrankfurtFrankfurtFrankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
at Luqa Airport which it is alleged found its way via the interline baggage system onto Pan AmPan American World AirwaysPan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4, 1991...
Feeder Flight 103A Frankfurt-LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and eventually onto Pan Am Flight 103Pan Am Flight 103Pan Am Flight 103 was Pan American World Airways' third daily scheduled transatlantic flight from London Heathrow Airport to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport...
London -New YorkNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. - MLA was the origin airport of the Air Malta Flight 830 Malta-IstanbulIstanbulIstanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
hijack which ended in CologneCologneCologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
. - On February 21, 2011, two Libyan fighter pilots, both claiming to be colonels, defected and landed their Mirage F1Dassault Mirage F1The Dassault Mirage F1 is a French air-superiority fighter and attack aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation as a successor of the Mirage III family. The Mirage F1 entered service in the French Air Force in the early seventies...
jets at the airport after refusing to carry out orders to fire upon a group of civilian Libyan protesters2011 Libyan civil warThe 2011 Libyan civil war was an armed conflict in the North African state of Libya, fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and those seeking to oust his government. The war was preceded by protests in Benghazi beginning on 15 February 2011, which led to clashes with security...
in TripoliTripoliTripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
. On the same day two Eurocopter Super PumaEurocopter AS332 Super PumaThe Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter marketed for both civil and military use. Originally designed and built by Aérospatiale, it is an enlarged and re-engined version of the original Aérospatiale Puma...
helicopters registered in FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
also landed carrying seven French nationals who were under Italian contracts to work in Libya.|