Malta’s membership of the European Union and the consequent observance of the Schengen Treaty requirements obliges Malta International Airport to comply with the requisites imposed by the Treaty to ensure that works are completed within the stipulated datelines.

The Schengen Treaty has been signed by most European countries with the aim of ending border checkpoints and controls between signatory States. This effectively creates a single and wider external border whereby immigration control procedures are common to all treaty members.

Preliminary works at MIA for the implementation of Schengen requirements have already started and are on schedule. The entire project involves a Lm1.5 million investment and should be completed by the first quarter of 2007. This comprises the eventual expansion of the air terminal to provide a Schengen Arrivals’ area complete with all facilities, and a direct transfer access to the respective Schengen and non-Schengen areas in the departures area.

Other works scheduled in the project plans include new retail outlets, the relocation of services and the structural segregation of Schengen and non-Schengen areas.

MIA has erected billboards on the air terminal grounds explaining the works in progress and regretting any undue inconvenience that may be caused to customers in the process.