Malta International Airport
| Continent: Europe | Country: Malta |
| Malta International Airport (MLA/LMML) | |
| Location | Malta |
| IATA code | MLA |
| ICAO code | LMML |
| Airport type | Mixed-Use Commercial |
| Website | http://www.maltairport.com/ |
| Overview map | [ ] |
| Communications | |
| Tower | |
| Ground | |
| Clearance | |
| Approach | |
| ATIS | |
MLA is the only airport for fixed-wing aircraft in Malta. It has two runways. Runway 14/32, the longer one at 3.5 km, is normally used for commercial passenger traffic while 06/24 (length 2.4 km) is used mainly by light aircraft.
MLA offers the spotter a variety of aircraft types and liveries, even though the volume of traffic is limited. Photographers who are considering a trip to Malta should consult the flight schedules in the airport's official website, which are available two weeks in advance, to ensure that their visit to the airport coincides with the active periods during the day.
That said, MLA is a very spotter-friendly airport, both in terms of the availability of good vantage-points for photography and in the sense that photography is officially tolerated.
Official Spotting Locations
Terminal Viewing Gallery
Offers an excellent view of Park 9 (the main apron for passenger aircraft) but is behind glass and reflections are an obstacle. There is no other vantage-point suitable for photography within the airport, even airside.
Time of day: Morning only as in most positions on the ramp aircraft will be backlit in the afternoon.
Directions: The viewing gallery is located on the 3rd floor of the tower between the arrival and departure halls. If arriving by car, you can park in the airport car park; otherwise see the section on facilities and transportation below.
A note about sample photos: indicative focal lengths refer to 35mm format and you need to apply the crop factor appropriate to your camera, e.g. divide by 1.6 for a Canon 350D or 20D.
Other Spotting Locations
Airport Perimeter Near Taxiway C
This spot is an excellent morning vantage-point for departing aircraft on their way to Runway 32. It is also good for aircraft entering Park 9 after landing on Runway 14. Aircraft in the nearer parking bays in Park 9 are also reachable. Runway 32 takeoffs can be photographed with a moderately long lens. There are portholes for photographers at intervals in the fence so a stepladder is not necessary, though shooting takeoffs through the portholes is difficult.
Time of day: Morning only.
Directions: Leave the terminal building and cross the carpark to get to the main road. Turn right and follow the road as it curves to the right. As soon as you are past the VIP entry gate and the crash gate you can pick your spot.
If you’re travelling by car, head for the airport but when you reach the Gudja/airport/Luqa roundabout take the road to Hal Far (it runs parallel to the airport access road but does not descend). Watch for the above-mentioned VIP and crash gates. Parking is possible to one side of the crash gate and on the opposite side of the road.
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large (A320 leaving park 9 - 120mm)
- Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (Boeing 747 on Taxiway C - 40mm)
Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto
An elevated vantage-point for Runway 32 landings and take-offs, although it is only just high enough to clear the airport perimeter fence and the street lights present an additional obstacle. If you have a step-ladder you would be better off shooting from next to the perimeter fence.
Time of day: Early to mid-morning only.
Directions: As with the previous spot, but keep following the road till you see the steep dirt track, on the side opposite to the airport perimeter fence, which provides access to the chapel. Cross with care. The track is accessible by car, but be careful when re-entering the main road.
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large (Boeing 737-300 - 210mm)
Work in progress - more locations to be inputted.
Locations to Avoid
Location
Regular Traffic
The most important airline at MLA is obviously Air Malta, but it is not the only local operator. British Jet - a Maltese airline, name notwithstanding - operates a single MD-90 on flights to various UK destinations. Another company, European 2000 Airlines, operates a pair of Fairchild Metros which can often be seen in Park 3 when not in use. There is also an air taxi company which operates a Learjet 60, and two flying schools which contribute to a fairly lively general aviation scene. Also worth mentioning is the Armed Forces of Malta Air Squadron, which operates a mix of helicopters and light aircraft.
Scheduled airlines which fly to Malta include British Airways, Alitalia and Lufthansa using mostly a mix of A319s, A320s and A321s; and Emirates with A330s. BA flights are operated by GB Airways flying in BA livery. Other regular visitors include Austrian Airlines, SAS, Sterling, Finnair and Tuninter (flying ATR turboprops). Regular charter airlines include My Travel, First Choice, Thomas Cook and Thomsonfly. Some of these are seasonal: in summer traffic increases considerably. As already mentioned, the best bet for the overseas visitor is to consult the flight schedules on the MLA website.
Facilities and Transportation
There is a regular bus service (route 8) from Valletta to the airport terminal via Gudja. In addition, routes 32 and 34 (Valletta-Zurrieq) and 35 (Valletta-Qrendi) all serve a bus stop within easy reach of the terminal and walking distance to spot 2.5, which is the best spot for photography.