Reduced airshow for St Paul's Bay

The Malta International Airshow will have a much less glitzy line-up of aircraft this year but still promises a spectacle with St Paul's Islands as its dramatic background.

Unlike previous years, in fact, the 15th airshow will run this weekend in St Paul's Bay rather than at Luqa Airport, avoiding construction work taking place there for Lufthansa Teknik's new facilities and the traditional protests by neighbouring local councils.

The static display of aircraft will still take place in Luqa but the aerobatic displays will all be held in the bay, affording spectators a 3.5-kilometre vantage point along the Bugibba promenade.

Malta Aviation Society president Joe Ciliberti said the proposal to have the show in St Paul's Bay - lobbied by the local council and the entrepreneurs in the area - gave the society an alternative to the airport which might become permanent.

"We obviously took note of the protests and this site offered us an alternative because of the work taking place at the airport but we'll certainly consider staying here in the future," he said.

The site and the fact that this year people will be able to enjoy the aerobatics for free, however, will have to make up for a line-up of aircraft which does not include the star attractions people have become accustomed to from previous shows.

The main attractions are a single F16 fighter belonging to the Dutch forces and a team of microlight aircraft from Italy. Mr Ciliberti explained that with the military of different countries being involved in Iraq and Afghanistan it became harder to secure showstopper entries.

Even the Frecce Tre Colori and the Red Arrows have a long line of different airshows booking their appearances.

The show will, however, include an interesting interaction between air and sea with an Italian water-bomber, which was involved in the recent blazes in Greece, as well as a display by AFM aircraft and vessels.

Moreover, the first ever national power board race will take place in the bay immediately after the airshow ends on Sunday.

The flying display will start at 3.30 pm and end at 5 p.m., running on Saturday and Sunday, while the static display in Luqa on both days will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Tickets for the static display have been halved to Lm2, while children under 12 will be able to enter for free.

For more info visit: www.maltairshow.com