Malta International Airport
Also known as: Malta Airport, Luqa Airport, MLA Airport, Malta Luqa Airport.
Private transfer from MLASee pricesSee pricesAbout Malta International Airport
Malta International Airport (MLA) in Luqa is the only airport in Malta and the gateway to the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino. It is run by Malta International Airport plc and handled about 10 million passengers in 2025, a record for the airport.
Most flights connect Malta with Europe. Ryanair and its subsidiary Malta Air have a base here, KM Malta Airlines is the national carrier, and airlines such as easyJet, Jet2, Wizz Air, Lufthansa and British Airways fly to the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Germany and France, among other countries. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines link the island with Dubai, Doha and Istanbul, and smaller carriers fly to Libya and Tunisia.
All passenger flights use a single terminal with arrivals and departures on separate levels. The airport lies about 5 km southwest of Valletta, in the south of the main island.
From the airport, travelers head to Valletta, Sliema and St Julian's, Bugibba and St Paul's Bay, Mellieha, the old city of Mdina, and Ċirkewwa for the ferry to Gozo.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Malta International Airport plc
- Passengers
About 10.1 million in 2025
- Runways
Two runways: 13/31 (3,544 m) and 05/23 (2,377 m)
- Main airlines
Ryanair/Malta Air and KM Malta Airlines
- Location
Luqa, about 5 km southwest of Valletta
Arrival tips for Malta International Airport
If you arrive from another Schengen country, there is no passport check and you walk straight to baggage claim. Flights from outside the Schengen Area, including the United Kingdom, go through passport control first. Non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since 10 April 2026; the planned ETIAS travel authorization is not yet in operation.
After collecting your luggage, pass through customs into the Welcomers' Hall, the public arrivals area.
In the Welcomers' Hall you can buy a fixed-fare taxi ticket at the Malta Taxi booth. Bus stops are just outside the terminal, with a ticket machine nearby, and app-booked cabs such as Bolt pick up at Level -1, reached through the tunnel from the main car park. Pre-booked drivers usually wait in the Welcomers' Hall with a name sign. Use the official booth or an app rather than accepting rides offered in the hall.
Malta has hot, dry summers and mild winters. It uses Central European Time (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer), and the currency is the euro.
Ground transportation
A fixed-fare taxi or pre-booked transfer suits most travelers with luggage, while the Tallinja Direct buses are a good option for direct trips to the main resort areas.
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Book a transfer from MLATaxi from Malta airport
Malta Taxi runs the official airport taxi service around the clock, with prepaid fixed-fare tickets sold at the booth in the Welcomers' Hall. Cars seat up to four and vans up to eight, so tell the booth how many bags you have.
Private transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you in the Welcomers' Hall and drives you straight to your hotel. It needs advance arrangement but avoids queues and is convenient for Gozo trips that include the ferry.
Rideshare
Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt operate at the airport, with pickups at Level -1, reached through the tunnel from the main car park. Follow the signs after collecting your luggage, as the pickup point can change.
Tallinja Direct buses (TD1–TD5)
Malta Public Transport's direct airport routes replaced the old X1–X4 express buses in April 2025. TD1 serves Rabat, Bugibba, Mellieha and Ċirkewwa, TD2 and TD3 serve St Julian's and Sliema, TD4 runs to Valletta, and TD5 to Rabat and Bugibba; buses have luggage space.
Local buses
Regular routes such as 88 to Valletta, 205 to Birzebbuga and Marsa, 208 to Mater Dei Hospital, and 214 to Birkirkara, Rabat and Bugibba also stop at the airport. They are slower than the direct routes, with more stops.
Ferry to Gozo
For Gozo, take a transfer, taxi or the TD1 bus to Ċirkewwa, where Gozo Channel ferries cross to Mġarr in about 30 minutes. A fast ferry also runs from Valletta to Mġarr in about 45 minutes.
Terminals
Main Terminal
Handles all passenger flights, both from Schengen countries and from outside the Schengen Area. Arrivals lead into the Welcomers' Hall, where taxis, buses and pre-booked drivers are found.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, easyJet, Emirates, Eurowings, ITA Airways, Jet2, KM Malta Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Ryanair, Tunisair Express, Turkish Airlines, Vueling, Wizz Air
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Malta airport from Valletta?
Malta International Airport is in Luqa, about 5 km southwest of Valletta, the capital. It is the closest major destination to the airport, and the TD4 Tallinja Direct bus runs straight from the terminal to Valletta's bus station. Taxis, ride-hailing apps and pre-booked transfers also make the short trip from the Welcomers' Hall.
Is Malta airport in Luqa?
Yes. Malta International Airport is in Luqa, on the main island of Malta, with part of the site extending into neighbouring Gudja. It is the only airport in Malta, so all international flights to Malta, Gozo and Comino arrive here. Travelers to Gozo continue by road to Ċirkewwa and then by ferry.
How many terminals does Malta International Airport have?
Malta International Airport has one passenger terminal used by all airlines. Arrivals and departures are on separate levels, and the terminal has separate areas for flights within the Schengen Area and flights from outside it. After customs, all arriving passengers enter the Welcomers' Hall, where taxis, buses and drivers are found.
Which airlines fly to Malta International Airport?
Ryanair and its subsidiary Malta Air have the largest presence, and KM Malta Airlines is the national carrier. Other airlines include easyJet, Jet2, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Eurowings, LOT Polish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. All of them use the airport's single terminal, with many extra seasonal routes in summer.
How do taxis work at Malta airport?
Taxis at Malta International Airport are run by Malta Taxi and operate 24 hours a day. You buy a prepaid ticket at a fixed rate from the booth in the Welcomers' Hall, based on your destination. Regular cars seat up to four people and vans up to eight, so mention how much luggage you have when you book.
Which bus goes from Malta airport to Valletta?
The TD4 Tallinja Direct bus runs directly from Malta International Airport to Valletta's bus station and then Lascaris. Route 88 also links the airport with Valletta via Gudja with more stops. Buses leave from stops just outside the terminal, and you can pay on board by cash or contactless card or use a travel card.
Are the X1, X2, X3 and X4 airport buses still running in Malta?
No. Malta Public Transport withdrew the X1 to X4 airport express routes on 20 April 2025. They were replaced by the Tallinja Direct routes TD1 to TD5, which serve Valletta, Sliema, St Julian's, Rabat, Bugibba, Mellieha and Ċirkewwa, along with local routes such as 88, 205, 208 and 214.
Can I use Bolt or Uber at Malta airport?
Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt operate at Malta International Airport. App-booked cabs pick up at Level -1, reached through the tunnel from the main car park, and the airport signs show the way after you collect your bags. Pickup points can change, so check the location shown in the app when you book.
Do I need to show my passport when arriving in Malta?
Malta is in the Schengen Area, so passengers arriving from other Schengen countries normally skip passport control. Flights from outside Schengen, including the United Kingdom, go through border checks. Non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since 10 April 2026; the planned ETIAS travel authorization is not yet in operation.
How do I get from Malta airport to Gozo?
Gozo has no airport for scheduled flights, so you travel by road to Ċirkewwa at the northern tip of Malta and take the Gozo Channel ferry to Mġarr, which takes about 30 minutes. The TD1 bus runs from the airport to Ċirkewwa. Alternatively, a fast ferry from Valletta reaches Mġarr in about 45 minutes.
How do I get from Malta airport to Sliema and St Julian's?
Two Tallinja Direct buses serve the area: TD2 runs from the airport to St Julian's and on to Pembroke, and TD3 runs a loop through St Julian's, Sliema, Gżira and Msida. Taxis from the Malta Taxi booth, ride-hailing apps and pre-booked transfers are also available for door-to-door trips with luggage.
What time zone and currency does Malta use?
Malta uses Central European Time (UTC+1) and moves to UTC+2 for daylight saving time from late March to late October. The currency is the euro, and cards are widely accepted. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild, so light layers work for most of the year.
How busy is Malta International Airport?
Malta International Airport handled about 10.1 million passengers in 2025, a record and an increase of just over 12 percent on 2024. It is operated by Malta International Airport plc. The largest markets are the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Germany and France, and traffic peaks in the summer months.