Malta International Airport (RAF Luqa)
Summary
| Operating Country | 🇲🇹 Malta |
| Location | 🇲🇹 Malta |
| Status | ◉ Active |
| Usage | Dual |
| Year built | 1958 |
| Operating Organization | Malta International Airport plc |
| Units |
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Description
Malta International Airport is located on the island of Malta, southwest of Valletta in the town of Luqa. It occupies the site of the former RAF Luqa. Civil aviation operations transitioned to Luqa after the Second World War following damage to airfields at Ta' Qali and RAF Hal Far. A dedicated civil terminal was inaugurated in March 1958, followed by the current terminal in Gudja which became fully operational in March 1992.
The facility is operated by Malta International Airport plc. It serves as the hub for KM Malta Airlines and Medavia, and as an operating base for Ryanair and Malta Air. The airport hosts the national Area Control Center and the Malta Airport MetOffice, which functions as the national meteorological service using Doppler Weather Radar and a network of automatic weather stations.
The Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta is based at the facility. Military infrastructure consists of a terminal with six hangars. The Air Wing operates fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Physical infrastructure includes a passenger terminal and the former Luqa terminal, which is used for cargo. The airport hosts aircraft maintenance facilities operated by Lufthansa Technik and SR Technics. Aircraft types utilizing the facility include the Boeing 777-300 and Boeing 737, with arrivals of the Airbus A380 for maintenance services. The Skyparks Business Centre on the airport grounds houses the head office of Air Malta and Medavia.