User manual

The Islands of Malta
Aerosoft GmbH 2006
12
Facts about the airport – Malta international Airport
Malta International Airport is situated 10 kilometres from the capital
Valletta. The closest town is Luqa.
Malta International Airport has been open for commercial traffic for over
50 years. The present air terminal building was constructed during the
period 1989/91 and was officially opened on the 7th February 1992.
Malta International airport was registered as a company on the 16th May
1991 and before 1992 these activities had been undertaken by the
Government‘s Air Terminal.
In 2005, the airport handled 2.78 million passengers and 29,160 aircraft
movements. Tourism remains the most significant factor.
The first civil airfield was constructed at Ta’ Qali, followed by others at Hal
Far and Luqa. During the Second World War, the airfields at Ta’ Qali and
Hal Far were severely battered and civil operations centred on Luqa
airport.
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,
effectively closing down the old Luqa airport after 35 years.
Sources: maltairport.com, malta.com, malta.biz, maltaculture.com