This is not the first time the renowned Italian air-acrobatic team have visited Malta – in fact their last visit was in 1994. However, it is a first visit for the current pilots who, squadron leader Major Paolo Tarantino explained, are reshuffled every four years or so, mostly because of the physical toll of the job.
Leaders and commanders stay a bit longer, he explained, because commander work is done from the ground and it is obviously better to have someone who has experienced acrobatic flying first hand. Leaders eventually become commanders.
The team will bring the show to a close both on Saturday and on Sunday with a grand finale. The Armed Forces of Malta will also be taking part, together with their counterparts from Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy and the UK and obviously Italy, who have sent the biggest contingent.
Apart from the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force are sending a number of aircraft that will be on display alongside aircraft from the Italian Navy and paramilitary groups.
The Royal Netherlands are back again, after an absence last year, with displays by their F-16 and PC-7 jets, while the German contingent will be participating for the first time with four tornadoes. Among its most prominent displays, Britain will be showing its Harrier Jump-Jet and, for the first time in Malta, a flying display from the giant Chinook helicopter. Belgium and France will be participating with Alpha jets and France will also be taking part in the static display with a Mirage.
The displays will be divided into two sessions: one starting at 10.30am and the other at 2pm. The public will be able to watch the Tricolori team as they prepare for their performance in the static display area at park 4. The midday break will feature a demonstration by the Island Car Club. The Ferrari Club Malta will give a display on Saturday at 10am, together with a number of classic cars from the Classic Car Association. There will be both flying and static displays from the microlight club.
The airshow will be open from 10am to 6pm, with the entrance gate on Hal Farrug Road. There will be a direct bus from Valletta’s main terminus to the gates and back.