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 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.

• Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (Airbus A320 on ramp - 50mm)
• Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (Bombardier Global Express taxiing - 100mm)

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 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: 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 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 aircraft can only be photographed on approach.

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 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)

Crash Gate off Road to Safi

Offers a view of runway 32 takeoffs and touchdowns. However, this is an awkward spot as an old building on the right will restrict your view of incoming aircraft and moreover you will need a stepladder to clear the gate.

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 gate. This spot is really for drivers as it will add some 20-25 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 drawback is its unsuitability for morning photography, and its very popularity: it can get crowded if there is a particularly unusual movement.

Time of day: Afternoon and evening.

Directions: Starting from the terminal, go left as you leave the terminal 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.

If arriving by bus, there is a bus stop shortly before the tunnel which is served by all the buses mentioned below other than 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)

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.