Aircraft started arriving in Malta yesterday for the 10th Malta International Air Show, which will be held at Luqa tomorrow and on Sunday.

The airshow this year will be the biggest ever, with participants from the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Spain and Malta.

Details of the two-day event were given at a press conference at Malta International Airport yesterday.

The arrival of one aircraft was delayed by yesterday's industrial action by air traffic controllers, but most of the aircraft are due to arrive today.

Among the new types of aircraft taking part in this year's airshow are a pair of German (Soviet-built) Mig-29s, a brand new Airbus 318 which is yet to go into service and the British Merlin helicopter, which will perform a flying display.

The organisers said this year's airshow was of special significance as it was the 10th edition and coincided with the 10th anniversary since MIA became fully operational, apart from the 60th anniversary since Malta was awarded the George Cross.

Two airport parks will be used for the static display, with one of the parks displaying British and Maltese aircraft that featured in local aviation history over the past 60 years.

The highlight of the airshow will be a commemoration tomorrow of the award of the George Cross, which will include a flypast by Armed Forces of Malta aircraft. This will be immediately followed by an aerobatic display by the Red Arrows at around 5 p.m.

A Spitfire from the Battle of Britain which was due to arrive in Malta yesterday was delayed because of a technical problem. It is expected to arrive today or tomorrow morning. The "spit" is due to fly at the airshow on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

The airshow will open to the public tomorrow and on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

To avoid traffic congestion, people are being urged to use public transport provided for the airshow with a shuttle service from Valletta City Gate to MIA and vice-versa.

On Sunday, the glamour and speed of the mythical Ferrari cars will add an attraction to the airshow, with a Ferrari F50 "racing" a Dutch F-16 fighter aircraft on the runway.

The 11 Hawk aircraft of the Red Arrows are expected to fly in today at around 5 p.m. They will be accompanied by a Lockheed Hercules C1 which will land at 6.45 p.m. The team leaves Malta on Monday at about 4.30 p.m.

Other arrivals today include the two MiG-29s, a Nato Boeing E-3A AWACs aircraft, two Royal Air Force Merlin helicopters and the Airbus Industrie A318.

Other aircraft due include a Canberra from the Royal Air Force, and two Sea Harriers from HMS Ark Royal which is in Grand Harbour.

Following are the estimated times of arrival of some of the most important aircraft types today. Times may change because of operational reasons.

9.45a.m. HH-3F helicopter, Italian Air Force; 10.30 a.m. Agusta-Bell 412 helicopter, Guardia di Finanza; 10.45 a.m. Two F-16As, Royal Netherlands Air Force; 11 a.m. Two SH-3D helicopters, Italian Navy, two MB-339As, Italian Air Force; 11.45 a.m. Reims-Cessna F406, French Customs; 12.15 p.m. Two MiG-29As, German Air Force; 2.35 p.m. Transall C-160, German Air Force.

1.30 p.m. Tornado IDS, German Air Force; 1.35 p.m. Boeing E-3A AWACS; 2 p.m. Three Mirage F1s, French Air Force, two Tornado F3s, Royal Air Force.

2.40 p.m. Falcon 20, Royal Norwegian Air Force; 3.40 p.m. Canadair CL-415, Protezione Civile Italiana; 4 p.m. Two Merlin HC3 helicopters, Royal Air Force; 4.20p.m. Four Jetstrea.m. T4s, Royal Navy.

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