Flypasts mark MIA anniversary
A number of aircraft today made flypasts over the airport as part of the anniversary celebrations of the inauguration of the airport terminal building 20 years ago today, an MIA spokesman said.
The first aircraft was a P3-Orion from the VP-47 Squadron of the US Navy, followed by a Hercules from the US Marine Corps and later on in the afternoon, four Tornados from the Italian Air Force which twice flew low over the runway.
These flypasts were made possible following coordination with the respective squadrons and with the collaboration of Malta Air Traffic Services.
Orion and Hercules aircraft are frequent visitors to Malta.
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31 Comments
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Alfred Falzon
Feb 9th, 09:34
All those who crave for a military presence in Malta are still stuck in a time warp when Malta was still a subservient colony subject to the whims and fancies of foreign overlords!
Kick off this outdated mentality and come to terms with yourselves by acknowledging that since independence and the closing down of the military base, Malta has made a great leap forward!
The choice of having military aircraft in a flypast over a civilian airport is in BAD TASTE and defies our goal in pursuit of peace and harmony with the rest of the free world!
Alfred A. Falzon
Adrian Barnes
Feb 10th, 16:17
We crave for a military presence because we are aviation enthusiasts, fool. ever heard of a hobby? no, you probably dont have one.
Alfred Falzon
Feb 10th, 18:17
@ Adrian Barnes
You have the cheek to insult those mindful of their country's (not yours) integrity and who have principles by calling them "fools" without first looking at your mirror and seeing a CLOWN in it!...
Or better still a lackey, a servile "enthusiast" who cannot see beyond his nose for obvious reasons!
Alfred A. Falzon
Charles Mangion
Feb 9th, 06:45
Stop complaing you lot why dont you go and protest in front of the Russian and Chona Embassies against those people being killed in Syria and against the ACTA aggrement those EMP sighned behind our backs and after they came for our views C.Mangion
Mr wenzu montesin
Feb 8th, 20:23
Having these planes honouring the airport's history and success, as well as being much appreciated by the 1000s of people who enjoy such displays, I personally believe it's a very positive initiative and I'm quite surprised by all the negative comments written here. Why shouldn't such initiatives be welcomed and encouraged? I'm sure that such a display was not of an inconvenience for any passenger, so why can't it be welcomed by all?
MIA officials could have easily had a drink amongst the staff in their offices, but instead they decided to honour one of Malta's main infrastructure and link to the rest of the world with a display that we (and I'm not personally interested in aviation) all could enjoy.
Well done MIA for the initiative and wish you more of these days in years to come!
Jesmond Micallef
Feb 8th, 23:58
Agreed and well said, Mr. Montesin.
Those spining propellers on the Lockheed machines are a lovely sight. They make the machine look pretty much alive unlike the jets which are pretty noisy due to the shear of the airflow as the jet efflux exists the back of the engines.
People interested in aircraft propulsion should consider looking up "Propulsive Efficiency" on the www for both propeller and jet type of propulsion and comparing both with the speeds attained by aircraft propelled by such principles. The pictures above highlight this quite nicely.
Best wishes to all at MIA.
Joseph Calleja
Feb 8th, 20:07
It would have been more appropriate if they flew Air Malta planes in this Flypass, after all???? Can't afford the fuel????? Thank you US Navy, US Marine Corps and Italian Air Force. What happened to the Libyan Air Force?
A Camilleri
Feb 8th, 19:51
It would have been far nicer to see a lovely Airbus A380 fly over rather than some war planes. Nice thought though.
Alfred Falzon
Feb 8th, 19:27
A civilian airport with a celebratory a military flypast!
Those who opted for such a strange display have struck a jarring note, for Malta's International Airport was not built for military purposes but to draw visitors in search of rest in a peaceful atmosphere away from such unsightly symbols of war!
The aircraft chosen could have been civilian aircraft that are frequent visitors to Malta during the peak season!
Alfred A. Falzon
Savio Sacco
Feb 8th, 20:22
Those "unsightly symbols of war" are the reason you're not forced to write this comment in Arabic.
Alfred Falzon
Feb 8th, 21:33
@ Savio Sacco
What has Arabic to do with military aircraft?
You must have been daydreaming for your comment is completely irrelevant and out of subject!
Could you please amplify on your fertile imagery?
Alfred A. Falzon
Charles DeMicoli
Feb 8th, 22:29
To add to what Savio wrote, those "unsightly symbols of war" are the reason you are still here on the face of the earth. If it wasn't for the defenders of peace, all Maltese would have ended up in the gas ovens. So get off you high horse and appreciate a nice gesture for once. Dejjem teqirdu, xi dwejjaq ta' nies.
Mr Peter Korsten
Feb 9th, 00:49
@Savio Sacco
I couldn't have said it better. Malta's "peaceful atmosphere" depends on foreign military (presumably) willing to give their lives to defend this clump of rock.
J Cassar
Feb 9th, 08:22
@Savio Sacco
Totally agree.
They are our defenders, but unfortunately some people don't realize that!
Joseph Mifsud
Feb 8th, 18:22
As far as I know MIA is a company that runs a civilian airport so why they brought military aircraft and not some jumbo or an old DC-3 !
D. A . Agius
Feb 8th, 18:21
"Orion and Hercules aircraft are frequent visitors to Malta."
Why?
Victor Vella
Feb 8th, 18:38
To safeguard the neutrality of Malta and Gozo and Comino.If someone comes to attack us they are ready on tip-toes to defend us.
A Grech
Feb 8th, 18:51
Do you think that Malta has nothing to do with other Military around the World ?? Just say thankyou aand if you dont like any Military aircraft just switch to another page :)
Adrian Barnes
Feb 8th, 19:11
lol
Adrian Barnes
Feb 8th, 20:53
Orion & Hercules aircraft are not frequent visitors because they are protecting us!! :s
They come here for a reason, which you do not need to know. Infact I wont say why because it will stir up MORE unecessary comments :/
D. A . Agius
Feb 8th, 21:13
I asked a simple question with no attached statement. None of your answers are factual or to the point.
Adrian Barnes
Feb 10th, 16:12
your simple question, was answered above! so read it again. They come here for a reason, which you do not need to know & is of NO concern!
Alfred Falzon
Feb 10th, 18:41
@ Adrian Barnes
You seem to know all by dismissing all sound arguments against this so-called military flypast and even jump to silly conclusions that smack of sheer arrogance!
So the flypast was meant as a "show of strength" meant to "protect" (sic) Malta from an unknown lurking enemy!
Sounds like grandad's army chatter still living in a world of your own!
High time you realise that Malta has changed even if, in all probability, not to your old-fashioned imperialist liking!
Alfred A. Falzon
Mark Tabone
Feb 8th, 17:54
Allura biex niccelebraw avveniment civili, ingibu ajruplani tal gwerra ??
Bernard Pollacco
Feb 8th, 18:05
ommi ma :| say something +ve for once :|
Tony Borg
Feb 8th, 18:16
They are still a masterpiece just like any other Aircraft if not more. So why do you complain about. It is as if they had let offloaded a ton on your roof.
Mario Camilleri
Feb 8th, 18:20
next time insibu ajruplani mimlijin nies u naghmlu flaypast bihom!!!!!
S. Zahra
Feb 8th, 18:22
int bis-serjeta Mark?
P. Ciantar
Feb 8th, 18:34
xi dwejjaq ta kumment please be positive
Colin Vassallo
Feb 8th, 18:50
Ajma. Kemm ma nifilhux inkunu iktar vojti. Ikolli aptit nqatta l vini naqra l kummenti hawnhekk. Kemm ad aw nies adom lura u mohhom maluq.
henry caruana
Feb 8th, 22:06
@A.Grech
Yes Mr Grech, our marines / 'military personnel with our WMD's are invading / bombarding countries
in the middle east North Africa, destroying infrastructure / killing whoever near/ leaving families homeless and stealing crude black gold in MALTA 's name. That's where we are round the world.
You should say "Thank You " to our constitution for protecting you and family from these
warmongers WMD's and switch your naive brains to reality