The Aviation Magazine No. 54 January-February 2018 | Page 26
Aerospatiale SA316B Alouette III
The Maltese public has always been thrilled by air shows, more so when these air shows are provided free
of charge. During the RAF years the civilian population would always be captivated by the sight of the RAF’s
Gnat Red Arrows, Lightnings, Phantoms, Nimrods and Canberras right up till the withdrawal of British
Forces and base closure of RAF Luqa in the late 1970s. The revival of air displays brought with it much nos‐
talgia and attendances have always been quite high. Revenue generation ensued and this assured contin‐
ued growth and participation in what was destined to become the biggest volunteer run air spectacle of its
kind in all of Europe. Its popularity on the international air show calendar brought with it themed tourism,
benefitting the whole country’s economy and the event itself.
Being a busy international aviation hub for the Mediterranean region, Malta International Airport (MIA) has
undergone a number of changes over the years which have inevitably effected the confines of
how this air show goes about its business.