One of the two Libyan airforce Mirage fighter jets which refused to bomb protesters and deserted to Malta last February will be on display at the Malta International Airshow this weekend.
Initially it was not envisaged that the two aircraft would take any part in the air show but the Malta Aviation Society, which co-organises the show together with Malta International Airport, asked Libya to participate through the Defence Office within the Office of the Prime Minister four days ago.
“They were delighted to oblige and will be taking part in the static display” said society president Joe Ciliberti.
The fighter is not the only Libyan aircraft taking part. Also on display will be a BAE 146, the first commercial plane captured by Libyan rebels in the conflict. It was used to evacuate injured combatants and at some stages even had to land on roads, according to Mr Ciliberti. “It has an incredible story,” he said.
This year aerobatic teams from two countries will be taking part: Italy’s famed Frecce Tricolori and the Swiss Air Force’s PC-7 team. Both teams gave plane watchers an early treat yesterday when they took to the air on practice runs.
In all eight foreign countries will be taking part: the UK, the US, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and Libya.
The Armed Forces of Malta Air Wing will also be taking part with its own aircraft for the first time, namely its newly purchased BE 200 Kingair.
Other highlights include a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight DC3 Dakota from World War II, famous for the part it played in the Berlin Airlift in 1945, and the debut of Poland’s airforce, with its M-28 Bryza patrol aircraft.
The static displays start today at 10 a.m. while the air displays start at 1 p.m. The Frecce will take to the air at 3 p.m, while the PC-7s follow suit at 7 p.m. The full programe can be seen on the Air Show’s website, www.maltairshow.com.
This year, visitors will not be allowed to park in Ħal-Farruġ road for safety reasons. While there will still be a large area reserved for parking, visitors are being advised to use public transport. Buses will run from Valletta’s main bus terminal straight to the airshow gate and vice-versa on both days, starting at 9.30 a.m.