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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Malta International Airport

Compiled by Bill Gao

Valletta, Luqa (Malta)

IATA: MLA ICAO: LMML

Longest Active Runway

10,991 ft

3,350 meters

Field Elevation

300 ft

91 m MSL

Runway Inventory

2 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

35.8459°, 14.4915°

LARGE AIRPORT

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

How ranks work →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

tied #380 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#611 of 7558

Top 8.1% percentile worldwide

For airports with equal runway length, the worldwide order does not indicate a length difference.

National Standing (Malta)

#1 of 1 in MT

#1 of 2 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+9.9%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 MLA in numbers: 10,991 ft longest runway · tied #380 of 650 published · #611 of 7,558 worldwide (top 8.1%) · #1 in Malta.

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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Malta International Airport (MLA)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Malta International Airport (Luqa) is the sovereign aviation lifeline of the Maltese archipelago. The primary runway 13/31 measures 11,627 ft, easily accommodating heavy widebodies, VIP state transports, and European tourism charter jets. Positioned on an elevated limestone plateau 300 ft above the sea, MLA offers modern Category II instrument approaches and extensive aircraft maintenance and overhaul (MRO) facilities.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Two intersecting perpendicular runways: Runway 13/31 (11,627 ft / 3,544 m) and Runway 05/23 (7,798 ft / 2,377 m).

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Originated as RAF Luqa in the 1920s, serving as a heroic island fortress in WWII. Transferred to civil control in 1977; opened the current modern passenger terminal in 1992.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Sole airport serving the Republic of Malta, located centrally in the Mediterranean 90 NM south of Sicily (CTA).

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Subject to violent seasonal Mediterranean winds (the Gregale from the northeast and the Sirocco from the south), managed through its perpendicular runway configuration.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Malta National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Longest runway ≥10,500 ft

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Elevation & National Context

Lowland Aerodrome (<2,000 ft)

MLA lies at 91 m (300 ft), #337 of 650 published airports by elevation and 43 percentile among 7,558 worldwide.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

0 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

No published neighbour with a paved runway of 5,000 ft or more within 100 NM of MLA. Nearest published airport: Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO), 155 NM, 10,912 ft (79 ft shorter than MLA); 5 within 250 NM.

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Runway Inventory & National Standing

Primary Runway: 10,991 ft (3,350 m)

MLA runways: 13/31 10,991 × 190 ft asphalt (asp); 05/23 7,785 × 148 ft asphalt (asp). +9.9% vs the 10,000 ft baseline.

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
13/31	10,991 ft (3350 m / 3.350 km)	190 ft (58m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
05/23	7,785 ft (2373 m / 2.373 km)	148 ft (45m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🛡️ Source: OurAirports Open Aviation Database, snapshot 2026-09-01 · Provenance →