The much awaited Malta International Airshow 2009 will be held at Malta International Airport this weekend, the26th & 27th of September. This year marks the 17th edition of this international event which is jointly organised by Malta International Airport plc and the Malta Aviation Society.

Participants are expected to arrive from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, UK and USA to join the Armed Forces of Malta and various other participants from Malta’s aviation field. The stars of the show will be the world-famous Breitling Jet Team that flies a formation of seven L-39 advanced trainers resplendent in a blue and yellow colour scheme, which will be the grand finale of the show on both Saturday and Sunday. Preceding the Breitling team there will be a large variety of aircraft of all sorts and sizes, from slow-moving aircraft and gliders to the British Army Tiger Parachute Team and a bright-orange F-16 from the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

The show also includes a varied static display of aircraft ranging from brand-new Diamond aircraft to the huge KDC-10 aerial refuelling tanker with famous jets like the Harrier jump-jet, as well as Tornados and Alpha Jets parked on the airshow Park 4. The show also offers a good window for Malta’s general-aviation sphere and a number of flying schools and business people will be present on the airshow park. The public will also be able to see no less than seven aircraft from the United States Air Force and Navy.

The new layout in the area where the airshow is held entailed a number of infrastructural changes and the car park is now detached from the airshow park, however the parking space is large enough to accomodate the expected number of vehicles entering through the airshow gate situated on the Hal Farrug Road. The public is being encouraged to make use of a special public transport bus shuttle service that will run between Valletta City Gate and the airshow gate throughout the day.

The Malta International Airshow is a family event with the main aim of raising interest in aviation especially in Malta’s younger generation whilst enabling Malta to offer a proper aerial event in line with many other European countries. Food and drink facilities will be available on the airshow grounds. Airshow entry tickets cost €8 and children under 14 years enter free of charge. The airshow gate opens at 10am and closes at 5.30pm while the air display starts at 1.30pm each day.

The Malta Aviation Society (MAS) expressed its gratitude to Malta International Airport plc for the support in jointly organising this year’s event. MAS also thanked the Ministry for Infrastructure Transport and Communications, the Armed Forces of Malta, Malta Air Traffic Services and all the entities that contributed in the organisation of the Malta International Airshow 2009.

Julian Jaeger CEO of Malta International Airport plc said that Malta International Airport plc is pleased to be associated with the Malta International Airshow and to have supported it in this praiseworthy initiative which complements aviation activity in Malta. “At MIA we fully appreciate the Malta Aviation Society’s undertakings which cater with great interest and dedication for the many keen aviation enthusiasts in Malta.” Mr Jaeger said, “MIA’s partnership with the Malta Aviation Society in the organisation of this event is a natural move which warrants an accomplished success and will hopefully attract many more visitors to MIA,” concluded the CEO.

For further information on Malta International Airshow 2009 kindly visit www.maltairshow.com for more details on the launching of an international photo competition covering 17 years of airshows in Malta.

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