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 | Primary 135.1MHz, Secondary 133.9MHz |
| Ground | |
| Clearance | |
| Approach | Primary 128.15MHz, Secondary 118.35MHz |
| ATIS | 127.4MHz |
MLA is the only airport for fixed-wing aircraft in Malta. It started out as RAF Luqa and it was one of the main airfields from which the epic defence of Malta was conducted in 1941-42. After Malta's independence it was developed as a commercial airport with two runways. Runway 14/32, the longer one at 3.5 km, is normally used for commercial passenger traffic while Runway 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 by comparison to major airports in large countries. Photographers who are planning 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, unless you have ramp access. Please note that as of June 2006 the gallery is temporarily closed.
Time of day: Morning only as most aircraft on the ramp 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 or by 1.5 for a Nikon D50 or D70.
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 exiting Runway 14 via taxiways C or D. 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 crash gate no. 3 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 across 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: Morning only.
Directions: As with the previous spot, but keep following the road till you see a steep dirt track on the opposite side of the road 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)
Runway 32 Threshold
This is an excellent location for photos of aircraft approaching runway 32. There is a wide roadside walkway and few obstacles for photography. The only drawback is that the road is beneath the level of the runway at this point so through-the-fence touchdown photos are not possible.
Time of day: You can shoot from either side of the flight path so this spot is good for the whole day, although photos will not turn out so well when the sun is at its highest.
Directions: As with the previous spot but keep following the perimeter road until it bends right at the end of the runway. The walk from the terminal should take perhaps 30 minutes (a non-walker's estimate!). If driving, parking is possible at most of the gaps in the crash barriers on either side of the road.
- Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (Boeing 737-700 frontal view - 165mm)
- Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (A320 side view - 200mm)
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large (Boeing 757 overflying the road, with the walkway to the right - 35mm)
Perimeter Fence off Road to Safi
Offers a view of runway 32 takeoffs and touchdowns. However, this is an awkward spot as tall vegetation and an old building on the right will restrict your view of incoming aircraft. To get a better view you would have to descend close to the fence but you would then need a stepladder to clear it.
Time of day: Afternoon and evening.
Directions: As with the previous spot but follow the road up the hill. Near the top turn right to take an old country road to the village of Safi. Before you get anywhere near Safi you will come to a fork in the road. Keep right and you will soon reach the airport perimeter fence. This spot is really for drivers as it will add some 25 minutes to your journey from the terminal if you are on foot.
Viewing Platform on the Safi Side
Built by the Malta Aviation Society some years ago, this elevated platform offers unobstructed views of Runway 14/32. This is the place from which to shoot takeoffs from either direction. With any luck the aircraft will rotate right in front of you. It is easily the best spot for photography at MLA. Its only drawbacks are its unsuitability for morning photography and its very popularity: it can get crowded if there is a particularly unusual movement.
Time of day: Noon to evening.
Directions: Starting from the terminal, go left as you leave the building and head for the airport McDonald’s restaurant. Pass it by and you will reach the road to Zurrieq. Turn left and follow the road through the tunnel which goes beneath Runway 14-32. Once out of the tunnel you will reach a roundabout: go left again and carry on till you reach the viewing platform. The walk should take between 20 to 30 minutes.
If arriving by bus, there is a bus stop shortly before the tunnel which is served by all the buses mentioned below under facilities and transportation, except the airport bus proper. From there, follow the above directions.
If driving, head for the airport but take the road to Zurrieq at the Gudja/airport/Luqa roundabout. Parking is available next to the viewing platform and across the road.
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large (the viewing platform)
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large (A300 Runway 14 - 125mm)
- Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (Boeing 737-800 Runway 32 - 100mm)
Runway 24 Threshold
This spot is good for aircraft approaching Runway 24. Aerial traffic is very light and a visit is only worth it if an arrival is expected, or if a light aircraft is using this runway for touch-and-goes.
Time of day: All day since you can shoot from either side of the flight path.
Directions: This location is not a feasible proposition for walkers. If driving, you need to make your way past the Armed Forces of Malta barracks and the airport freight terminal. Follow the road until you come to a roundabout with a colourful phallic sculpture (seriously!) at its centre. You can park next to the shops on the opposite side of the road.
Runway 14 Threshold
This is a good spot for aircraft on approach to Runway 14. Unlike Runway 32 the road here is at the same level as the runway, but the runway threshold is a long way from the perimeter fence. From here you can also see Park 3 where the occasional executive jet, light plane or small turboprop may be parked.
Time of day: All day for Runway 14 approaches; afternoon and evening for Park 3.
Directions: This spot is not feasible for walkers. By car, follow the directions to the previous spot but go past the phallic sculpture. You will then descend a hill at the bottom of which you will find another roundabout, this time sporting a metal rocket-like construction. Turn left past a big garage for commercial vehicles and take a very bumpy road uphill. At the crest of the hill on your left you will come to a clearing next to the airport perimeter fence, where you can park. You will be practically under the flight path at this point but you can walk some distance further up the road, sun permitting, to shoot side-ons.
- Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (ATR-42 on approach - 150mm)
- Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (Gulfstream V in Park 3 - 150mm)
Park 4
The occasional executive jet, civil or military transport or light plane may be parked here, though light aircraft tend to be parked far from the fence at a point where the ground dips, making them hard to photograph. Unless your subject is close to the fence you'll have to watch out for heat distortion and you may have to wait for the sun to start descending.
Time of day: Afternoons and evenings.
Directions: As above, but keep going past a dilapidated BAC 1-11 in the grass by a gate until the road rises and levels out again. You can stop by the roadside long enough to take photos.
- Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (Ilyushin Il-76 - 50mm)
- Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (Light plane at a distance - 300mm)
Runway 06 Threshold
Good for approaches to Runway 06. Same applies to this spot as to the Runway 24 threshold.
Time of day: Virtually all day.
Directions: Follow the road all the way past Park 4. Watch for oncoming cars where the road narrows. Turn sharp left at the cross-roads and you will come to the runway threshold very shortly thereafter. You can park by the roadside for a while.
Locations to Avoid
Don't obstruct any roads or airport crash gates, don't cause any damage, don't trespass on private land and you should be perfectly OK.
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 are also 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 throughout the year include British Airways, Alitalia, Lufthansa and Emirates. BA flights are operated by GB Airways flying in BA livery. Other regular visitors include Austrian Airlines, SAS, Sterling, Finnair and Tuninter. 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. Aircraft types used include various turboprops, A319s/320s, A321s, A330s (mostly Emirates), MD-80s, and Boeing 737s, 757s and 767s.
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 the viewing platform on the Safi side, which is the best spot for photography. More information can be obtained from the Malta Transport Authority website.