VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta International Airport (MIA) has started work on a major expansion of its eastern wing, a project set for completion by 2028.
The development will add a new 6,000-square-metre terminal connected to the existing building, forming part of a €345 million, four-year investment programme. Once finished, the airport will be able to handle up to 2,500 departing passengers per hour.
The new departures area will include five boarding gates, one crew gate and about 1,000 square metres of circulation space. A further 1,300 square metres of circulation space will support 32 additional check-in desks, while a state-of-the-art baggage handling system will expand sorting capacity.
MIA said the project is designed to improve operational efficiency and passenger comfort, particularly during peak summer periods. CEO Alan Borg said the expansion aims to “elevate the departure experience” through upgraded facilities and smoother passenger flows.
Borg stressed the focus was not solely on increasing passenger numbers but also on improving service standards. The new terminal will incorporate Maltese architectural elements, including limestone arches, extensive natural light and sustainable design features.
Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurated the project, describing it as a key investment in Malta’s long-term resilience and competitiveness. He said the airport plays a central role in tourism, trade and international engagement.
Abela added that the expansion aligns with the government’s Malta Vision 2050 framework, due to be launched in the coming weeks.
“This project reflects what we can achieve when public institutions and private enterprise work together,” he said, calling the airport “the first and last impression” visitors have of the country.
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(ITALPRESS).
