Ruth Haines
Malta International Airport, also known as Luqa Airport or Valletta Airport, is the only airport in Malta. It is located 5km southwest of Valletta, the Maltese capital. The airport is the main hub for Air Malta Airlines and Ryanair and its subsidiary Malta Air have a base there. Malta International Airport has a single-passenger terminal with a capacity to serve five million passengers per year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports in Malta | 1 |
| Name of the airport | Malta International Airport |
| Airport code | MLA |
| Abbreviation | MIA |
| Location | 5km southwest of Valletta, the Maltese capital |
| Alternate names | Luqa Airport, Valletta Airport |
| Number of terminals | 1 |
| Number of aircraft parking areas | 9 |
| Capacity | 5 million passengers per year |
| Airlines | Air Malta Airlines, Ryanair, Malta Air |
| Cargo Handled | 17,891 tonnes |
| Facilities | Duty-free shops, gift shops, fashion stores, general service shops, chapels, parenting rooms, conference facilities, lounges, restaurants, cafes, car rentals, car parking, bus services, taxi services, shuttle services, post office, charging points, wheelchair-accessible toilets, ramps, etc. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Malta International Airport is the only airport in Malta
Malta International Airport, also known as Luqa Airport, Valletta Airport, or Malta Airport, is the only airport in Malta. It is located 5km (3 miles) southeast of Valletta, the Maltese capital. The airport serves as the main hub for Air Malta Airlines and Ryanair and its subsidiary Malta Air have a base there. The airport has a single-passenger terminal with a capacity to serve five million passengers per year. It offers a range of facilities and services, including duty-free and gift shops, lounges, parenting rooms, a chapel, conference facilities, and a variety of transport options to and from the airport.
Malta International Airport provides convenient transport options for travellers arriving or departing from the airport. Public transport in Malta is primarily based on a system of bus routes, with several express routes designated for travel to and from the airport. These routes include the X1, X2, and X3, which connect the airport to different parts of the island. Additionally, taxi services are available 24 hours a day, with prepaid tickets available at fixed rates from a booth in the arrivals hall. Car rental agencies are also present at the airport, offering both pre-booking and on-arrival options.
The airport offers a range of facilities to enhance the travel experience for its passengers. Duty-free and gift shops are available, particularly in the departures area, for last-minute shopping needs. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, the members-only La Valette executive lounges in departures and arrivals provide VIP services such as meet-and-greet concierge, chauffeur-driven cars, and complimentary refreshments. Parenting rooms equipped with changing and feeding facilities are located in the check-in hall and departures lounge, ensuring that families travelling with infants have the necessary amenities.
Malta International Airport also provides essential travel services and amenities. A left-luggage service is available 24 hours a day at the airport information desk, ensuring that passengers can conveniently store their luggage. The airport provides assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, but this must be arranged in advance with the relevant airlines or service providers. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the airport, and public telephones and charging points are also provided for added convenience.
Masks in Australian Airports: Are They Still Mandatory?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is located 5km southwest of Valletta, the Maltese capital
Malta International Airport is the only international airport in the Republic of Malta, a small island in Southern Europe. It is located 5km southwest of Valletta, the Maltese capital, and is sometimes referred to as the Luqa Airport or Valletta Airport. The airport is situated near the village of Luqa, which is why some flight booking sites refer to it as Luqa Airport. It is also often called Valletta Airport due to its proximity to the Maltese capital.
The airport is the main hub for Air Malta Airlines and Ryanair and its subsidiary Malta Air have a base there. The airport served 3.5 million passengers and recorded 28,022 aircraft movements in 2011, while handling 17,891 tons of cargo. The terminal has a capacity of five million passengers per year and features nine designated aircraft parking areas. The taxiways have been upgraded to meet the latest ICAO standards.
Malta International Airport offers a range of facilities and services for passengers, including duty-free shopping, gift shops, fashion retailers, and general services. The airport also provides a left-luggage service, baggage wrapping, and parenting rooms equipped with changing and feeding facilities. There is a chapel on the lower level of the terminal, and conference facilities with a capacity of up to 40 delegates. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the airport.
Transport to and from the Malta International Airport is straightforward due to the small size of the island. Taxi services are available 24 hours a day, with prepaid tickets available at fixed rates from a booth in the arrivals hall. There are also several bus routes connecting the airport to different destinations in Malta, including express routes X1, X2, and X3.
Collecting Tickets at the Airport: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport is often referred to as Luqa Airport or Valletta Airport
Malta has one airport, Malta International Airport, which is located on the island of Malta, southwest of the Maltese capital, Valletta, in the town of Luqa. The airport is close to the former RAF Luqa, hence why it is often referred to as Luqa Airport. It is also located just 5km (3.1 miles) from Valletta, which may be why some people refer to it as Valletta Airport.
Malta International Airport is the main hub for KM Malta Airlines and Medavia, and an operating base for Ryanair and its subsidiary Malta Air. It is also home to the Area Control Centre and hosts the annual Malta Airshow. The airport is served by several buses operated by private transportation groups and public transport operated by Malta Public Transport. There are four Tallinja Direct routes, a mixture of Express and local services, that originate and terminate at the airport. These include Route X1, which can take you from Malta International Airport straight to Cirkewwa, from where the ferry to Gozo departs. Route X2 is the best option for those staying at St. Julian's or Sliema, while Route X3 serves Buġibba, Qawra and Paul's Bay. Taxi services are also available 24 hours a day, with pre-paid tickets available at fixed rates from a booth in the airport's Arrivals Hall.
The airport became fully operational on 25 March 1992, replacing the old Luqa terminal, which is now mostly used for cargo. The new terminal building in Gudja was inaugurated in February 1992, after the previous administration decided that the 35-year-old Luqa terminal was past its time. The new terminal included upgrades such as air conditioning, new baggage carousels, flight information monitors, and computerized check-in desks. In 2020, a new terminal expansion project was unveiled, which was later revived in 2025 with plans to expand the airport to the east and west.
Jeddah Airport: Hotel Availability and Convenience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Airport: The Complete Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81-nvGF8wgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It is the main hub for Air Malta Airlines
Malta International Airport, also known as Luqa Airport or Valletta Airport, is the only airport in Malta. It is located 5km southwest of Valletta, the Maltese capital. Serving the Republic of Malta in Southern Europe, the airport is the main hub for Air Malta Airlines, which was headquartered in Luqa.
Air Malta, stylized as airmalta, was a Maltese airline that served as the country's flag carrier. It operated services to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The airline was headquartered in Luqa, based at Malta International Airport, and ceased operations on March 30, 2024.
The history of civil and commercial aviation in Malta dates back to the 1920s when seaplanes from England and Italy landed in military bases at Marsascala and Kalafrana. In 1926, Italy's ALALTTORIA began operating scheduled services to Italy, Malta, and Tripoli. Recognizing the increase in passenger and aircraft movements, the British government began planning for a terminal in 1956 with funding of €0.69 million. The Malta International Airport was opened in 1992, and Air Malta established CargoSystems to transport cargo on its planes.
Air Malta played a significant role in the development of Malta's aviation industry. In 1994, the airline inaugurated a cargo center at the airport, and it entered into a codesharing agreement with Trans World Airlines. Between 2002 and 2007, Air Malta embarked on a fleet replacement program, transitioning to Airbus A319s and A320s. The airline also participated in the Malta International Airshow, showcasing its aircraft and celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014.
In recent years, Air Malta underwent a rebranding process, which led to some controversy as the word "Air" was omitted from the aircraft titles and signage. Despite this, the airline clarified that its full name remained Air Malta. In 2024, Air Malta ceased operations, and KM Malta Airlines took its place as the new national airline for the Maltese Islands.
Killeen, Texas: Airport Access and Travel Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport offers various facilities and services for passengers
Malta International Airport, also known as Malta Airport (MLA) or Luqa Airport, is the only airport in Malta. It is located 5km southwest of Valletta, the Maltese capital. The airport offers various facilities and services for passengers to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
For travellers with autism or those travelling with someone with autism, Malta International Airport provides a range of services to assist with wayfinding and to make the airport experience less daunting. These services include a detailed Visual Guide with photos, simple directions, and explanations of airport processes, as well as a fast-track option through the Central Security Screening Area and access to a quiet space. The airport also offers helpful tips, such as recommending that travellers familiarise themselves with the airport layout and processes before their trip and pack their child's favourite toys and items for comfort.
The airport has a single-passenger terminal with nine designated aircraft parking areas. It offers a range of shopping and dining options, including a Samsonite store and a Hard Rock Cafe. The airport also serves as the main hub for Air Malta Airlines and hosts the annual Malta Airshow, attracting various European military and civil aircraft.
Malta International Airport provides convenient transport options to and from the airport. There are four express bus routes designated for airport travel, operating daily from morning to evening. These routes connect the airport to key destinations across Malta, including Cirkewwa, St. Julian's, Sliema, Bugibba, Qawra, and Paul's Bay. Additionally, taxi services are available 24 hours a day, with pre-paid tickets offered at fixed rates from a booth in the Arrivals Hall.
For those who prefer to drive themselves, car rental agencies are present at the airport, allowing travellers to pre-book or arrange rentals upon arrival. However, it is important to note that traffic congestion is a significant issue in Malta, especially during rush hour (6:30-8:30 and 16:30-18:30), so extra transit time should be calculated when travelling to or from the airport during these peak periods.
Airports and CNN: A Profitable Partnership?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is an international airport in Malta, referred to as Malta International Airport, Luqa Airport, or Valletta Airport. It is the only international airport serving the Republic of Malta and is located 5km southwest of the Maltese capital, Valletta.
Public transport in Malta is primarily based on a system of bus routes. There are several express routes to and from the airport, including Route X1 to Ċirkewwa, Route X2 to St. Julian's and Sliema, and Route X3 to Buġibba, Qawra, and Paul's Bay. Malta Transfer shuttle services are also available, with one-way fares starting at €5. Finally, taxi services are available 24 hours a day, with pre-paid tickets available at fixed rates from a booth in the airport's arrivals hall.
Malta International Airport offers a range of facilities, including duty-free and gift shops, a left-luggage service, parenting rooms, conference facilities, lounges, restaurants, and a chapel. The airport also provides a post office, public telephones, charging points, and free Wi-Fi access throughout the terminal.
