Luqa Airport

Malta International Airport Ajruport Internazzjonali ta' Malta
IATA: MLA ICAO: LMML
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner	Malta International Airport plc
Serves	Malta
Location	Luqa, Malta
Hub for	Air Malta
Focus city for	Ryanair
Elevation AMSL	300 ft / 91 m
Coordinates	35°51′27″N 014°28′39″E / 35.85750°N 14.47750°E / 35.85750; 14.47750Coordinates: 35°51′27″N 014°28′39″E / 35.85750°N 14.47750°E / 35.85750; 14.47750
Website	maltairport.com
Map
MLA Location on a map of Malta
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 05/23 2,377 7,799 Asphalt 13/31 3,544 11,627 Asphalt
Statistics (2015)
Passengers 4,618,642 Aircraft Movements 34,283 Cargo Movements (kg) 14,964,462
Source: Maltese AIP at EUROCONTROL Statistics from timesofmalta

Malta International Airport (Maltese: Ajruport Internazzjonali ta' Malta, IATA: MLA, ICAO: LMML) is the only airport in Malta and it serves the whole of the Maltese Islands. It is located on island of Malta, between Luqa and Gudja, and occupies the location of the former RAF Luqa. It 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 and a base for Ryanair. It is also home to the Area Control Center and hosts the annual Malta Airshow, visited by military and civil aircraft from various European and other countries. The airport is operated by Malta International Airport plc.

The first civil airfield was constructed at Ta' Qali, followed by others at Ħal Far (RAF Hal Far) 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 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.