Flying to Malta

General Information

Malta has only one airport, located in the municipality of Luqa just a few kilometres south of the capital. It handles over 4 million passengers annually and serves as the base for the national carrier Air Malta, which is also the country's sole airline. Additionally, it is one of Ryanair's many secondary hubs.

Types of Flights

Charters, Scheduled, and Low-Cost

As Malta is primarily a seasonal destination for Europeans, whether for holidays or long weekends, the traffic is mainly charter or seasonal flights. On top of that, most European low-cost airlines operate year-round or occasionally. Meanwhile, scheduled flights by "traditional" airlines are very much in the minority.

Promotions and Special Offers

Like any tourist destination served by charters or low-cost airlines, promotions and special offers are frequent and regular in Malta. Check with airlines or travel agencies, as many packages also include additional services alongside airfare.

From France

From Paris

Year-round or seasonal direct flights (2h40) with Air Malta from Roissy, plus Air Malta and Transavia from Orly. Prices: from 160 to 300 €.

From the Provinces

Not counting occasional charters from various cities:

Lyon: Air Malta.

Marseille: Air Malta + Ryanair.

Nantes: Transavia.

Toulouse: Air Méditerranée.

Choosing Your Flight

Given the relatively large number of options and the narrow price range for this destination, the first priority is to choose direct flights where they exist. These generally offer a good balance of quality, duration, and price. Since Malta almost always has promotions and special offers, it’s worth exploring opportunities from both airlines and travel agencies. Some deals even include customisable services (hotel, car, etc.) or all-inclusive packages, so comparing these is also a good idea.

From the Rest of Europe

Nearly all European countries, both Western and Eastern, have at least seasonal connections to Malta. The UK—logically—has the most options, with around fifteen airports served by Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2.com, and others. Germany, Italy, and Spain also have good coverage.

Flights are also available from:

Belgium: Brussels (Air Malta + Brussels Airlines).

Luxembourg: Luxembourg (Luxair).

Switzerland: Geneva (Air Malta), Zurich (Air Malta + Swiss).

From Elsewhere

Beyond intra-European flights, there are connections to and from Algeria (Air Malta), Tripoli (Libyan Airlines), Tunisia (Air Malta + TunisAir) for North Africa, as well as Tel Aviv (Air Malta) and Dubai (Emirates).

Malta International Airport

This is the archipelago’s only airport, located in Luqa near the capital, on what was once a British RAF base. It is sometimes called "Luqa Airport" or "Valletta International Airport."

Name: Malta International Airport

IATA Code: MLA

Hub: for Air Malta (and a "secondary" hub for Ryanair)

Number of Terminals: 1

Passenger Capacity/Year:

Passenger Traffic: 6,014,548 (2017)

Distance from City Centre: 8 km from Valletta

Website: http://www.maltairport.com/