Malta International Airport has unveiled an updated investment programme totalling €345 million, which it said will deliver significant operational, commercial and sustainability-related improvements between 2025 and 2029.
Addressing a press conference, Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg said that this programme will build on the investments undertaken by the company over the past two years to continue future-proofing the airport infrastructure. Borg went on to present key investments that are set to be concluded in 2025, including the Apron 8 South project, which will increase aircraft parking capacity by 40%, and the Westward Expansion, which has seen the terminal grow by 1,550 square metres to allow for a smoother incoming journey.
The company announced its next significant investment – the Eastward Expansion. This will entail the extension of the terminal by 6,000 square metres, which will allow for the introduction of additional gates, check-in desks and circulation space to improve departing guests’ airport experience. For further convenience, the building will be directly connected to the airport multi-storey car park, Park East, it was said.
Speaking about the investment programme, Borg said that it is broken down as an investment of €120 million into retail and property, €201 million into airport operations, and €24 million into sustainability efforts.
Borg commented that this updated investment programme, and in particular the eastward expansion, “reaffirms our commitment to continue evolving Malta International Airport to further improve the guest experience”. He stated that the chosen design for the new building seeks to integrate contemporary elements with more familiar ones, as he remarked that this shows that while the company is prepared to write the airport’s next chapter, “we remain mindful of our past”.
In terms of sustainability efforts, Borg said that the investment programme will also see the company invest further in infrastructure which will enable it to honour its environmental commitments, in particular the target of CO2 neutrality. He said that the airport’s fifth and largest photovoltaic farm is set to be commissioned in Q3 2025 and will more than double clean energy generation capacity. “This is a key project for us to achieve carbon neutral status by the end of this year,” Borg said, as he continued that the fifth photovoltaic farm will be complemented by energy-saving measures which include an upgrade of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to more sustainable systems.
Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, who also holds the position of Minister for Tourism and Foreign Affairs, spoke at the press conference and commented that the airport plays a crucial role in the first and last impressions of visitors as the gateway to Malta. “It is more than just a transport hub. It is a vital engine driving tourism, trade, and investment.”
The Deputy Prime Minister remarked that the tourism sector has experienced remarkable growth in the past fifteen years. He added that whilst the industry faced significant disruptions due to the pandemic, it has also since demonstrated an exceptional recovery.
Having said that, he added that it is also essential to look beyond arrival figures, as he continued that tourist arrivals have tripled yet total tourist nights have increased by just double, which he said reflects a decrease in average length of stay. He said that there has been a surge in total tourist expenditure, with a rise from €1 billion in 2009 to €3.3 billion in 2023, which he said comes to approximately €1,000 spent per tourist.
He said that these strategic investments are not just improvements, but that they are also a commitment to excellence ensuring that MIA continues to uphold the highest standards of service.
“Aviation connectivity is the backbone of Malta’s tourism industry,” Deputy Prime Minister Borg said. He concluded that the plans announced during the press conference underscore a shared commitment to enhance Malta’s connectivity.
When asked for potential timeframes for the eastward expansion’s completion, the MIA CEO said that deadlines realistically cannot be provided at this moment and that a more specific timeframe could be determined once bids start coming in for the project.
He was also asked about a share buyback and whether it has been initiated, to which the MIA CEO replied that a company announcement was issued and that the resolution is awaiting approval in May.
