Malta International Airport plc has started resurfacing the main runway at Luqa airport, used by 80 per cent of all aircraft movements.

During a visit to the site yesterday evening, Competitive-ness and Communications Minister Censu Galea said this initial phase of a series of projects spanning over six to seven years, includes the widening of taxiways and the construction of new ones to increase the capacity for aircraft movements in the coming years.

“Since joining the EU, Malta has taken significant steps to enhance its competitive edge both regionally and globally. Here in Malta the matter of funding has been at the forefront of discussions and as a result, we were allocated e850 for the financial period 2007-2013,” said Minister Galea.

Work on the taxiways, which are planned to begin between February and March next year, will be co-financed by the EU.

The runway that is currently being resurfaced is the largest of the two runways at the airport, so it was only logical for the work to be carried out during the winter period when aircraft activity is at its lowest.

Weather permitting, work is being carried out at night and the runway is being made available for normal daytime operations.

The resurfacing project is estimated to cost Lm0.8 million (e1.86 million) and forms part of a general upgrading programme that will be undertaken by Malta International Airport over the next few years.

This resurfacing project is necessary to safeguard operations on the airfield’s main runway over the next few years, with minimal impact on normal operations.

By extending the runway’s lifespan (it has been used for the past 25 years), MIA will have time to develop its taxiway infrastructure and this will allow major reconstruction works on the main runway to proceed with minimum impact on operations.