Malta International Airport: Everything You Need to Know

Malta International Airport (Luqa)

Malta has only one airport, which also serves as the archipelago’s international gateway. Contrary to popular belief, it is not located in the capital, Valletta. Valletta is a fortified, walled city that stretches just a few hundred metres, so landing a plane there is simply impossible. Malta’s airport (code MLA) is in fact located in the town of Luqa, in the centre of the island, less than 15 minutes by car from Valletta. Its exact address is Malta International Airport, Luqa, LQA 4000.

It is common for major international airports on the outskirts of a capital to keep the capital’s name, so that travellers can easily recognise the destination. Malta is no exception: the airport is sometimes referred to as Valletta airport, even though that is technically a misnomer.

Finding a flight to Malta

The easiest way to find the best flights to Malta is to use a flight comparison site such as Skyscanner, which lets you compare every route option, especially if you are flexible on your travel dates. The comparison tool lets you compare all flights to Malta across a whole month. The airport serves 35 destinations operated by 29 scheduled airlines: most European capitals are connected to Malta year-round.

Transfers from Malta airport

Because Malta is a small island, it is very easy to reach any hotel, apartment or accommodation in under an hour to or from the airport. Several options are available, from the budget-friendly bus to a chauffeured car.

Buses and public transport from Malta airport

The cheapest way to get to and from Malta airport is to use public transport. As Malta has neither a metro nor a tram, the bus is the only option. Two types of bus serve the airport: the TD1 and TD2 express buses, which run only to the centre of Buġibba and Saint Julian’s with a €3 ticket, and the standard X1, X2, X3 and X4 buses, which make more stops, with a €1.50 ticket (€2 in summer). All stops, fares and timetables are available on the official public transport website, Malta Public Transport.

The bus stops are located directly opposite the airport. You can buy cards and tickets right at the airport, at the Agenda Bookshop in the departures hall and the WHSmith Express shop in the arrivals hall, or from the driver. Note that bus fares increase after 11 pm. Maltese buses are not always punctual, often running 5 to 20 minutes late; they do not always stop automatically, so remember to wave your hand as one approaches.

Taxis and ride-hailing at Malta airport

Getting to or from the airport by taxi is very easy and remains one of the safest ways to avoid missing your flight. The airport’s official taxi service is provided by Malta Taxi, with a fare set in advance depending on your destination (desk in the arrivals hall). As a handy alternative, the ride-hailing apps Bolt, eCabs and Uber also display the fare in advance and can get you a driver in under 10 minutes. It is best, however, to avoid flagging down a random white taxi without an agreed fare.

Airport shuttles

There is a shuttle or minibus service that handles transfers between the airport and the island’s main hotels. A shared shuttle bus transfer costs around €5, but you often have to wait for all the passengers who have booked to gather (waiting times range from 5 to 30 minutes). If you have already booked a hotel in Malta, remember to check whether the transfer is not already included in your reservation, as this is often the case.

Car hire at Malta airport

Hiring a car is an appealing option for exploring the island at your own pace. Bear in mind, though, that as a former British colony, Malta drives on the left, and it can be a challenge. So take extra care behind the wheel. More than 30 rental companies operate from the airport, all gathered a short walk from the terminal at the Park East Car Park: you will find both the major international brands (Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise, Green Motion) and numerous local agencies. The easiest option is to book in advance on Rentalcars to compare prices and secure your vehicle before you arrive.

Transfers for language-study students

Every year, more than 52,000 students take part in a language stay in Malta to learn English. As soon as a student books a course-and-accommodation package with a school, the one-way transfer from the airport to the residence or apartment is included free of charge (the return trip sometimes is too). The transfer is arranged directly with the local representative or with the school.

Parking at Malta airport

Several car parks surround the terminal: the surface car parks, Park East and the SkyParks Business Centre car park. The first 10 minutes are free in all the airport car parks, which is handy for dropping off or picking up a passenger. After that, charges apply by time band, from around €2.50 for the first hour to €25 for 24 hours in the surface car parks and at Park East (slightly more at the SkyParks Business Centre); beyond the first 24 hours, each additional day (even a partial one) is charged. A fare simulator is available on the airport’s official website to estimate the cost based on how long you park.

Services, shops and dining at the airport

Facilities and services

Malta airport welcomes more than 9 million travellers a year. Modest in size compared with the major European hubs (Orly, Roissy, Amsterdam, Frankfurt), it has just one terminal and two runways. The arrivals area can be crossed in under 5 minutes and brings together all the check-in desks (scheduled and low-cost flights). The airport offers free Wi-Fi, charging points, ATMs, water fountains, baby-changing areas, a multi-faith chapel and a freely accessible observation deck on level 3 (open 24/7, with views over the runways). A tourist information office is also on hand in the arrivals hall (Welcomers’ Hall), open every day from 10 am to 9 pm.

Dining

Sixteen dining outlets can be found at the airport: cafés and international brands (Costa Coffee, PAUL, Hard Rock Cafe, Vecchia Napoli, KFC, McDonald’s, Burger King), Asian eateries (Wagamama, Saigon, Fuwamai) and quick or takeaway options (Dr. Juice, Falafel Street, Relish, Talbot & Bons, Tat-Te, Veràni). Most outlets are open from 10 am to 11.30 pm on weekdays, and sometimes until 1 am on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays.

Shops and practical services

On the shopping side, around fifteen shops and services are spread across the check-in area, the Duty Free zone (Dufry) before boarding and the outdoor area of the SkyParks Business Centre, some fifty metres from the terminal. These include WHSmith, a pharmacy, Samsonite, Parfois, Saltwater and The Convenience Shop. To buy a SIM card or a local phone plan, an Epic shop is present at the airport.

Airlines serving Malta

KM Malta Airlines, the national carrier, uses the airport as its main connecting hub. In all, 29 airlines operate scheduled flights to and from Malta, serving 35 destinations. Full-service and low-cost carriers all use the same terminal. Some routes are seasonal and operate only during the summer season (April to October).

List of airlines serving Malta

• Aegean
• Aer Lingus
• Air Baltic
• Air France
• Air Serbia
• Atlantic Airways
• British Airways
• Delta
• easyJet
• Emirates
• Eurowings
• ITA Airways
• Jet2.com
• KM Malta Airlines
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Luxair
• Norwegian
• Qatar Airways
• Ryanair
• SAS
• Swiss
• TUI fly
• Transavia
• Tunisair Express
• Turkish Airlines
• Volotea
• Vueling
• Wizz Air

Location of Malta airport

Malta International Airport is located in Luqa, in the south-central part of the main island, just a few kilometres from Valletta and the main tourist resorts.

Frequently asked questions about Malta airport (FAQ)

Where is Malta airport located?

Malta airport is located in the town of Luqa, in the south of the main island, less than 15 minutes by car from Valletta.

How many terminals does Malta airport have?

Malta is a small international airport with a single terminal.

How many runways does Malta airport have?

Malta airport has two runways.

Can you eat at Malta airport?

Yes, sixteen dining outlets can be found at Malta airport, including Costa Coffee, PAUL, Hard Rock Cafe, Wagamama, Vecchia Napoli, KFC, McDonald’s and Burger King. Most outlets are open from 10 am to 11.30 pm on weekdays, and sometimes until 1 am on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays.

Is there an airport on the island of Gozo?

The Republic of Malta is an archipelago of eight islands, four of which are actually inhabited (Malta, Gozo, Comino and Manoel Island). There is only one airport in the country, so most travellers heading to the smaller islands take the ferry or sea shuttles. Gozo and Comino each have a heliport, whose occasional traffic is monitored by the control tower at Malta airport.