Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS) has successfully completed improvement works to its control tower, an investment that will allow for more efficient use of existing space and increase operational capacity, the Transport Ministry said.

This project forms part of a wider planned investment plan to address the increased demand that the aviation sector has experienced over the past few years, in particular connectivity and the number of flights from Malta International Airport.

It was explained that with new and more frequent routes, it was essential that the Control Tower be equipped to meet the increased demand and continue to guarantee the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

The works were planned for a period of the year when demand is lower while also being coordinated with other maintenance interventions that were already scheduled at the airport. This was done to ensure that there is no disruption to flights and that operations at the airport continue uninterrupted.

This project forms part of a half-million euro investment that was announced by the Minister for Transport Chris Bonett during a visit he made last January to the MATS facilities.

During that visit it was announced how Malta registered a record number of flights in 2025, both those using the Maltese airport and those passing through Maltese airspace.

Minister Bonett said “The investments being made are part of a long-term national vision that looks towards 2050, so that Malta continues to strengthen its connectivity with the world while growing the aviation sector which is one of the economic pillars of the country.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Malta Air Traffic Services, Claude Mallia explained how this work is part of MATS’s plan to introduce more modern technology to facilitate operations. He said that in the coming years, MATS will continue to invest in various aspects of operations so that workers have modern tools and technology to continue offering this essential service.

Adrian Vassallo, Senior Head Tower, Operations Section said that this work has been planned for more than a year in preparation for the coming summer where the volume of aircraft using Malta International Airport is expected to increase by at least 6%. This has led to the need for more controllers to be present to ensure that MATS continues to offer an efficient and high-level service.

Photo: MTIP

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