Wide range of planes for next airshow at Luqa

A menagerie of aircraft will next week grace the skies in displays of colour, speed and agility at the Malta International Airshow.

Featuring the participation of eight countries, the show will this year be held in parks two and three at the Luqa airfield instead park four because of the ongoing construction works there.

Aircraft expected to participate at the show will come in all shapes and sizes, from the giant KDC-10 air-to-air refuelling jet of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, to the maritime patrol aircraft P-3 Orion from the United States Navy, the familiar CL-415 fire-fighting machine from Italy, as well as basic training aircraft.

This year, being the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the Royal Air Force is sending a trio of Tucano advanced training aircraft sporting World War II colours and one of the aircraft will also perform in the flying display programme.

The Patrouille De France, the aerobatic demonstration team of the French Air Force, will add further zest to the show.

“The new setup inevitably presented a few organisational challenges but with the sterling cooperation of Malta International Airport, the Office of the Manager Airport Security and the Armed Forces of Malta, all is now set for yet another thrilling edition of the air show,” said Joe Ciliberti, President of the Malta Aviation Society.

The air show will take place on September 25 and 26. Gates open between 10 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. The flying display will start at 2.15 p.m. on both days.

Tickets sell at €10 or at a prepaid price of €8. Children under the age 14 enter for free. Tickets are available at the airport’s information desk or McDonald’s outlets. A direct bus service will operate from City Gate to the airport and back.

The participating countries at this year’s edition are: Malta, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and the US.