As the 20th Anniversary year of the inauguration of the Air Terminal is coming to an end, Malta Airport has launched a new publication entitled ‘Malta International Airport – Our Gateway to the World’ by former Acting Chairman and Director, Mr Joseph R. Darmanin.

The book delves into the long history of aviation and terminal operations in Malta since 1915, highlighting the various milestones of various airfields and the developments of Terminal operations on the island. One of the important facts unveiled in the book and discovered in a Cabinet Memo during the research for the publication was that in 1967, the administration led by the Hon. Dr Giorgio Borg Olivier had approved the “extension of one of the runways to 13,000ft and an airport terminal to handle an estimated 1,200,000 passenger movements by 1980.”

In his introduction, the author explains that the aim of the book is to draw on all the elements which make up an airport and “to demonstrate the energy and commitment required to constantly maintain the high standards of safety and service.” Mr Darmanin further describes what made him write the book. “In one capacity or another, I have had the honour and the privilege to work at the airport… during this time I have learnt to appreciate the professional know-how, the skills, the will to learn and change, and above all, the strong will to succeed…”

The book has two forewords, one by the Hon. Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi and another by Malta Airport CEO, Mr Markus Klaushofer. The Prime Minister refers to the crucial role which the airport plays in the national economy and lauds the investment which was carried out during the years. “The success and potential of Malta International Airport led to its privatisation in 2002, which further propelled its growth in to a commercial hub with increased investment, job creation and expansions.”

Mr Klaushofer refers to how pleasantly surprised he was when he first came to Malta, by the pride all Maltese people feel about the airport, “pride which is well-placed considering the reputation the airport has succeeded in building.”

When reviewing the book, The Times Head of Content, Mr Ray Bugeja, says the journey that Malta’s sole civil airport made was, at times, quite eventful and it was only thanks to the skills and nous of those handling the project along the years that the island can now boast of a gateway to the world that does Malta proud. He adds that “leafing through the pages of this book one can see the social, political and economic history of Malta unfold… the record shows – as the pages of this book amply prove – that Malta Airport has delivered. It has thrown Malta’s front door wide open.”

The book (285 x 235 mm, 240 pages, in full colour, Hardbound ISBN: 978-99957-37-030) was designed by Box Design, printed by Gutenberg Press Ltd and published by Miller Distribution Ltd. The book is available from Agenda Bookshops and leading bookshops at a retail price of €29.99.