Private jets at Malta International Airport
Malta International Airport at Luqa is 5 km from Valletta and open 24 hours, with customs, immigration, handling and fuel all available around the clock. It has a 3,350-metre main runway and a second 2,373-metre runway for aircraft up to Code C. Every flight needs prior notification to the airport's operations team, and business jets are handled by FBOs including DC Aviation Malta and Executive Aviation Malta, the latter on the general aviation apron.
- Longest runway
- 3,350 m
- Codes
- MLA · LMML
- Business aviation handling
- 4 handlers
Did you knowMalta's first civil airfield was built at Ta' Qali in the 1920s. After the islands' airfields were badly damaged in the Second World War, civil flying moved to Luqa, where the first passenger terminal was opened on 31 March 1958. Malta International Airport: History
Charter a private jet to Malta International Airport
Malta International Airport at Luqa is 5 km from Valletta and is open around the clock, with customs and immigration available 24 hours. Business jets are handled by FBOs including DC Aviation Malta and Executive Aviation Malta, which is based on the general aviation apron. Every flight needs prior notification to the airport before it flies, which the operator arranges.
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What the private terminal is like at Malta
The airport describes a separate VIP terminal just off the main aircraft parking area, used for heads of state, diplomats and VIPs, and says it unveiled a new VIP Terminal in 2025. Executive Aviation Malta operates its FBO on Apron 3 in the General Aviation Park. Whether charter passengers are processed in the VIP terminal or at an FBO depends on the handler.
DC Aviation Malta
Listed in the AIP as a GA third-party handler. Part of the DC Aviation Group, established in Malta in 2008; offers FBO and ground handling for private and business jets, catering, fuel and hangarage, with a team available 24/7.
Executive Aviation Malta
Listed in the AIP as a GA third-party handler. A full-service FBO at Gate 1, Apron 3, the General Aviation Park, offering ground handling, into-plane fuelling, flight and customs support, catering and concierge services.
Medavia Ground Handling Services (Mediterranean Aviation Co. Ltd)
Listed in the AIP as a GA third-party handler, based at Safi Aviation Park.
Aviaserve
Listed in the AIP as a ramp ground handling provider; says it is one of two entities fully licensed for passenger, ramp and cargo handling at the airport, mainly serving airlines.
Customs at Malta, step by step
What happens on an international flight, in the order you meet it. We handle the paperwork with the operator.
- When you book, we ask for each passenger's passport details for the operator.
- The operator notifies the airport's operations team of the flight, requests the slot and names the handler.
- On landing, your handler meets the aircraft. Customs and immigration are open 24 hours.
- Your car can then collect you for the short drive to Valletta or your hotel.
Which private jets can use Malta?
On runway length, every turboprop, very light jet, light jet, super light jet, midsize jet, super midsize, heavy jet, ultra long range and VIP airliner type is within it. The check below uses each type's published take-off distance at maximum weight, at sea level on a 15°C day. Heat, altitude, a wet runway and the operator's own rules can need more, so we confirm it for your aircraft and date.
Runway 05/23 and the general aviation apron (Apron 3) take aircraft up to Code C only, so large-cabin jets use runway 13/31 and need a stand on another apron. Visual approaches to runways 13, 23 and 05 are not normally accepted, and arrivals are suspended when runway visual range falls below 550 m.
| Aircraft class | On this runway |
|---|---|
| Turboprop 5–8 seats · take-off 730–1,000 m · Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Yes |
| Very light jet 4–5 seats · take-off 630–1,100 m | Yes |
| Light jet 6–7 seats · take-off 960–1,200 m · Embraer Phenom 300E | Yes |
| Super light jet 7–8 seats · take-off 820–1,350 m | Yes |
| Midsize jet 8–9 seats · take-off 1,100–1,660 m · Cessna Citation XLS+ | Yes |
| Super midsize 9–10 seats · take-off 1,400–1,600 m · Bombardier Challenger 350 | Yes |
| Heavy jet 12–14 seats · take-off 1,430–1,780 m · Dassault Falcon 7X | Yes |
| Ultra long range 13–19 seats · take-off 1,700–1,970 m · Bombardier Global 7500 | Yes |
| VIP airliner 18–50+ seats · take-off 1,500–2,100 m | Yes |
Worth knowing before you fly
- Malta never closes: customs, immigration, handling and fuel run 24 hours, so a late-evening departure from London or an early return is not limited by airport hours.
- Every flight needs prior notification to the airport's operations team, and the operator names a handler when it asks for the slot. We choose the FBO with the operator so you know where you will meet the aircraft.
- The general aviation apron takes aircraft up to Code C. If you charter a large-cabin jet, we confirm with the handler where it will park.
- The airport is 5 km from Valletta, so the capital is a short drive away.
Operating information
For business and private flights. Details change, so we check them again for your date.
Airport
| Opening hours | AIP Malta (AIP effective 29 October 2026, LMML AD 2 pages at AIRAC AMDT 082/2026 of 14 May 2026): air traffic services, customs and immigration, health, fuelling, handling and security are all H24. The airport administration office works Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00 local, with the aerodrome and operations duty officers on duty 24 hours. |
|---|---|
| Prior permission | AIP AD 2.20: all flights require prior notification to MIA Airport Operations, and filing a flight plan does not mean permission to operate to Luqa. Operators requesting an airport slot are expected to name their preferred ground handler; if they do not, the airport assigns one. |
| Customs and immigration | Customs and immigration are available 24 hours (AIP AD 2.3). Executive Aviation Malta says its services include customs support. |
| Slots | The AIP refers to operators requesting an airport slot at MIA and lists a schedule facilitation office at the airport. All flights need prior notification to MIA Airport Operations. Check for your date. |
| Noise and night restrictions | AIP AD 2.21: SIDs are an integral part of noise abatement and should be strictly followed within the limits of aircraft performance; aircraft unable to meet the published altitude restrictions must tell ATC before departure. Engine ground runs above idle need airport authorisation and are not allowed 23:00-06:00 local except for exceptional operational reasons. |
| Aircraft parking | AIP AD 2.8: Apron 3 is the general aviation apron, for aircraft up to Code C; other aprons take larger aircraft. Only locally based Code A aircraft may enter stands on Aprons 2, 3 and 5 without a marshaller. Hangar space for visiting aircraft is available from Gulf Med Aviation Services by prior request, for aircraft up to Code B only. DC Aviation Malta also offers hangarage. |
| De-icing | The AIP lists no de-icing service; specially prepared winter runways and surface treatment are marked not applicable. |
| Other restrictions | Runway 05/23 is only for aircraft up to Code C, and its far 600 m cannot be seen from the control tower. ILS approaches serve runways 13 and 31 only (one at a time); requests for visual approaches to runways 13, 23 and 05 are not accepted unless the aircraft cannot fly an ILS or RNP approach. In low visibility (RVR below 550 m) arrivals are not permitted, and below 350 m the airport closes temporarily. Intense flocks of starlings can be expected all year, especially in October and November. Fire cover is category 9, H24. |
Runways
| 13/31 | 3,350 m, paved, flexible pavement (pcr 800/f/a/x/t), 58 m wide |
|---|---|
| 05/23 | 2,373 m, paved, flexible pavement (pcr 620/f/b/x/t), 45 m wide; aircraft up to code c only |
By road
| Valletta | 5 km (AIP figure) |
|---|
Flying times
Airports near Malta
Comiso
Lampedusa
Catania-Fontanarossa
Pantelleria
More airport guides nearby: Naples Airport, Corfu Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport, Rome Ciampino Airport, Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport.
Questions
Is there a private terminal at Malta International Airport?
The airport describes a separate VIP terminal just off the main aircraft parking area, used for heads of state, diplomats and VIPs, and says it unveiled a new VIP Terminal in 2025. Executive Aviation Malta operates its FBO on Apron 3 in the General Aviation Park. Whether charter passengers are processed in the VIP terminal or at an FBO depends on the handler.
What are Malta International Airport's opening hours for private flights?
AIP Malta (AIP effective 29 October 2026, LMML AD 2 pages at AIRAC AMDT 082/2026 of 14 May 2026): air traffic services, customs and immigration, health, fuelling, handling and security are all H24. The airport administration office works Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00 local, with the aerodrome and operations duty officers on duty 24 hours.
Can I clear customs at Malta International Airport on a private flight?
Customs and immigration are available 24 hours (AIP AD 2.3). Executive Aviation Malta says its services include customs support.
What size of private jet can use Malta?
The longest runway is 3,350 m. Going by each type's published take-off distance at maximum weight: every turboprop, very light jet, light jet, super light jet, midsize jet, super midsize, heavy jet, ultra long range and VIP airliner type is within it. Runway 05/23 and the general aviation apron (Apron 3) take aircraft up to Code C only, so large-cabin jets use runway 13/31 and need a stand on another apron. Visual approaches to runways 13, 23 and 05 are not normally accepted, and arrivals are suspended when runway visual range falls below 550 m. The operator confirms performance for your aircraft, load and date.
What are the fees for a private jet at Malta?
Our quotes include landing and handling fees, along with fuel, crew and taxes. What the airport and handler charge depends mainly on the aircraft's size and the time of day. Out-of-hours, de-icing and special event fees can be extra, and we tell you which could apply before you book.
Can we have catering on a private flight to Malta?
Yes. Tell us what you would like when you book and the operator orders it for the flight. Depending on the operator and region it is either included or charged separately, and we tell you which before you book.
Checked 14 November 2026 from published airport, government and handler information (transport.gov.mt, dc-aviation.com.mt, executivefbo.com, maltairport.com, aviaserve.eu). Not for operational use; we confirm everything for your flight.
