The Malta International Airport’s plans for a €16 million business centre were given the green light by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority this week, paving the way for work to begin.

The Business Centre forms part of the business plan MIA embarked on following the airport’s privatisation, which includes expansions and investments having potential synergies with its core operations.

With that in view, early last year MIA submitted applications for the necessary permits in order to commence the construction of a Business Centre, which is initially intended to include office and retail accommodation scheduled to be completed by the second half of 2011.

The initiative, MIA says, falls within the parameters of its business diversification strategy.

On Thursday, Mepa’s DCC Board approved the development that will enable MIA to initiate construction on site.

The site, MIA believes, is an ideal location for company premises and moreover the area is in the vicinity of the arterial road network and has excellent access to public transport. The Business Centre will be operated and marketed by Sky Parks Development Ltd, a subsidiary company of MIA plc.

Construction, which is estimated to involve an investment of around €16 million, is to have a 3,100 square metre footprint spread on nine levels of which two will be for underground parking, two for retail and food and beverage facilities and five as areas for offices.

The total rentable area will be 14,000 square metres excluding car parking space.

MIA also announced that it had concluded an agreement with Vodafone Malta, which will be its first anchor tenant of this Business Centre. Vodafone Malta will be occupying 2,500 square metres of office space plus 600 square metres of terrace area on the top floor.

The project management is to be under the aegis of MIA plc, and the project architect is Dr Edwin Mintoff with mechanical and engineering consultants Scicluna and Associates Ltd.

The building will be an energy efficient edifice of high standard security and finishes complying with all health and safety requirements and will be accessible to all.