Malta International Airport: Difference between revisions

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.  

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.

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.

'''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 VVIP entry gate and crash gate no. 3 you can pick your spot.  

'''Directions:''' As with the previous spot, but keep following the road till you see the 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.  

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 aircraft can only be photographed on approach.

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.

'''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 about 20 minutes.

'''Directions:''' This location is not a feasible proposition for walkers. If driving, you need to make your way towards the airport freight terminal and the Armed Forces of Malta barracks. Go past them and 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.  

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 off so through-the-fence touchdown photos are not a practical proposition. From here you can also see Park 3, where the occasional executive jet, light plane or small turboprop may be parked.

'''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 under the flight path at this point but you can walk some distance down the road in either direction, according to the direction of the sun, to take photos.

'''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.

{{jplink|5729208}} (Light plane - 175mm)

Don't obstruct any crash gates, don't cause any damage, don't trespass on private land and you should be perfectly OK.

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.

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.