The proposed expansion of the Malta International Airport will have a major impact on the landscape and may lead to the possible loss of cultural heritage, according to the Environment Impact Assessment.

The development application under consideration involves the expansion of the airport through extension of the existing terminal building, relocation of the existing petrol station, construction of five new buildings for a range of commercial and leisure uses, and associated modifications to existing roads and service infrastructure and new roads and services, and associated landscaping.

The study states that the project will diminish the long-distance open views of the area, and will affect Gudja and Għaxaq’s traditional setting of townscapes dominated by parish churches, as well as the rural setting and worked agricultural land.  Beyond that, the development would be highly visible from a range of viewpoints.

A small part of the project is located within the buffer for the Ħal Resqun catacomb complex, and there are a number of other archaeological features in the surroundings. The development may result in the possible loss or damage to unrecorded archaeological artefacts during excavation.

The extent of the impact is uncertain and will depend on whether artefacts are present, their importance and the extent of any loss or damage, the EIA states. Any potential impact would be mitigated through the presence of an archaeology monitor during excavation works, according to the assessment.

The expansion will take place wholly within the existing MIA complex comprising an area of over 130,000 square metres.

The Skyparks building was the first phase of the project. The whole development would occur over another three phases and is planned for completion by 2024. 

 

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