Malta International Airport
Valletta, Malta
Malta International Airport
Malta's sole international gateway serving the Mediterranean island nation.
- ›The airport originated as RAF Luqa, a British Royal Air Force station used extensively during World War II.
- ›Malta International Airport plc is listed on the Malta Stock Exchange.
- ›The airport serves as the primary hub for Air Malta, the country's national airline founded in 1973.
- ›Malta's small geographic size means the airport is within roughly 30 minutes' drive from almost any point on the island.
- ›The airport handled over 7 million passengers in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced traffic.
Malta International Airport, located in Luqa just south of Valletta, is the sole international airport serving the Maltese archipelago and has operated in various forms since World War II. Handling over seven million passengers annually at peak years, it serves as a vital hub connecting this small island nation to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The airport has undergone significant modernisation, offering a compact yet well-equipped facility that reflects Malta's growing importance as a tourist and business destination.
- Main Terminal — The single integrated terminal handles all departures and arrivals, featuring check-in halls, duty-free retail, dining outlets, and separate Schengen and non-Schengen zones.
- Malta Public Transport Bus (Routes X4, X5, X7 connecting to Valletta and major towns)
- Taxi (white official taxis with fixed-rate zones from the rank outside arrivals)
- eCabs and Bolt ride-hailing apps available via smartphone
- Car rental desks from major operators including Hertz, Avis, and Europcar in the arrivals hall
- Hotel shuttle buses operated by select larger resort properties
- Hilton Malta (St. Julian's)
- Corinthia Hotel St. George's Bay
- DoubleTree by Hilton Malta
- AX The Victoria Hotel (Sliema)
- Mercure Malta Grand Hotel
Inside the terminal, passengers will find a range of cafés, bars, and quick-service restaurants including Burger King and local options airside, as well as a food court in the departures lounge. The surrounding town of Luqa and the nearby Paola and Marsa areas offer traditional Maltese pastizzerie and casual dining a short taxi ride away. For a fuller culinary experience, Valletta and Sliema — both reachable within 20 minutes — host acclaimed restaurants serving ftira, rabbit stew, and fresh seafood.
- Pre-book taxis or ride-hailing apps to avoid queue wait times during peak summer season arrivals.
- Malta drives on the left — confirm this with your car rental and plan routes accordingly.
- The airport can get very busy July through September; arrive at least two hours before departure during this period.
- Currency is the Euro; ATMs and exchange counters are available in the arrivals hall before exiting.
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Malta International Airport is the only international airport in Malta, and it serves the whole of the Maltese Islands. It is located on the island of Malta, southwest of the Maltese capital, Valletta, in the town of Luqa, and occupies the location of the former RAF Luqa. The airport serves as the main hub for KM Malta Airlines and Medavia besides being an operating base for Ryanair and its subsidiary Malta Air. It is also home to the Area Control Center and hosts the annual Malta Airshow. The airport is operated by Malta International Airport plc.
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