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Malta International Airport: Difference between revisions
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'''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. | '''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. | ||
{{anetlink|1069566}} (B737-800, morning - 120mm) | {{anetlink|1069566}} (B737-800, morning - 120mm) | ||
{{ | {{jplink|5767763}} (L-1011, evening - 210mm) | ||
{{jplink|487300}} (B757 overflying the road, with the walkway to the right - 35mm) | {{jplink|487300}} (B757 overflying the road, with the walkway to the right - 35mm) | ||
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'''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. | '''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. | ||
{{jplink|5742719}} (Tu-154 touching down - 210mm) | |||
===The "Spotters' Wall" (Safi side)=== | ===The "Spotters' Wall" (Safi side)=== | ||
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'''Time of day:''' All day for Runway 14 approaches; afternoon and evening for Park 3. | '''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. | '''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, angle of the sun permitting, to shoot side-ons. | ||
{{anetlink|1050996}} (ATR-42 on approach - 150mm) | {{anetlink|1050996}} (ATR-42 on approach - 150mm) | ||
{{anetlink|0655586}} (Gulfstream V in Park 3 - 150mm) | {{anetlink|0655586}} (Gulfstream V in Park 3 - 150mm) | ||
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'''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. | '''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. | ||
{{anetlink|0903861}} ( | {{anetlink|0903861}} (Il-76 - 50mm) | ||
{{anetlink|0844704}} (Light plane at a distance - 300mm) | {{anetlink|0844704}} (Light plane at a distance - 300mm) | ||
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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. | 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, Boeing 737s, 757s and 767s, and (in summer) Tu-154s. Occasional visitors, particularly in summer, can include anything from military aircraft in transit to chartered 747s. | 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, Boeing 737s, 757s and 767s, and (in summer) Tu-154s. An-124s visit very often for layovers. Occasional visitors, particularly in summer, can include anything from military aircraft in transit to chartered 747s. | ||
==Facilities and Transportation== | ==Facilities and Transportation== | ||