A Facebook page which promotes the use of the Maltese language has criticised what it says is the near-total absence of Maltese signage at the Malta International Airport.

'Il-Malti Madwarna' is a page which encourages the use of the Maltese language in writing, especially in labels and signs. It has called for Maltese to be included and prioritised in new signage plans in the airport.

The page made reference to the €345 million investment of the airport that was announced last year, and stated that such Maltese signage should form part of the planned infrastructural expansion. 

The €345 million expansion is seen as an opportunity to correct a long-standing omission. Il-Malti Madwarna posits that public funds and national infrastructure should reflect national identity, especially since signage design is only a small fraction of the large investment.

"In the present airport, you can count on one hand the number of signs which contain Maltese," the Facebook post says. "Wherever you go in the airport, the signs are all in English and only English. This is not acceptable."

The post goes on to say that the Maltese language must be present in the airport because it is the right of Maltese and Gozitan citizens to see their language being used in their country, and that the Maltese language is an essential part of Maltese identity.

Importantly, the post is not anti-English. "The use of English is not a problem... that being said, it's not right that Maltese is left out," the post says.