Malta
International.
The only international airport in the Maltese islands, and the base for all general aviation activity in Malta. Two intersecting runways at Luqa, 300 ft above sea level, right in the middle of the island.
Current conditions.
METAR and TAF for LMML from aviationweather.gov. Same data source that feeds the ATIS broadcast on 127.405 (arrivals) and 127.005 (departures).
Weather across the region.
Click any airport to see the latest decoded METAR. Malta and southern Italy, updated on the same 10-minute cache.
The essentials.
Snapshot only. Always confirm against the current Malta AIP and NOTAMs before every flight.
Two asphalt runways.
Runway 13/31 is the primary and takes almost all commercial traffic. 05/23 crosses it and is used mostly for GA and secondary operations.
Radio.
Reference only — always cross-check the current AIP before departure.
Local practice.
- PPR is required for most GA movements — coordinate with a handler in advance.
- Handling is mandatory. Pick a handler before filing your flight plan.
- Customs and immigration apply to arrivals from outside Schengen / the EU.
- Noise-abatement procedures are in force — brief the departure carefully.
- Slot times may apply at peak periods; your handler will advise.
Airspace structure.
Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS) manages a large block of airspace covering the central Mediterranean. Below is a vertical cross-section — how the blocks stack from the ground up.
Not to scale. Based on Malta AIP AIRAC AMDT 084/2026. Always verify against current AIP and NOTAMs.
Airspace cross-section.
How the airspace layers nest around LMML, viewed from the side. Each layer is narrower at the bottom — the classic inverted-cake structure of a terminal control environment.
Not to scale · cross-section view looking north · Based on Malta AIP AIRAC AMDT 084/2026
Airspace in detail.
Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS) manages a large block of airspace stretching from the surface to FL660, covering the central Mediterranean. Here is how it is divided.
Malta FIR · SFC – FL195.
The Malta FIR (LMMM) covers a large portion of the central Mediterranean. All flights within it below FL195 are handled by Malta Control, split across a West and East sector.
Malta UIR · FL195 – FL660.
Above FL195 the Malta UIR (also LMMM) takes over, extending to FL660. It is Class C airspace, also controlled by Malta Control on the same sector frequencies.
Free Route Airspace (FRA Malta) is active within the UIR from FL195 upward — aircraft may file direct routes without being constrained to published ATS routes.
Luqa TMA · 2,000 ft – FL195.
The Luqa TMA (LMMT) is Class C airspace surrounding LMML. It is controlled by Luqa Approach, which also handles radar services. All IFR and VFR flights entering the TMA must establish contact before entry.
Lampedusa control area.
A designated CTA block surrounds Lampedusa (LICD), managed from Malta despite falling within Italian airspace. Note it when routing via Lampedusa.