Malta will soon have two new radar stations to increase aviation security at the airport, bringing the island’s total to six.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS) – a public company responsible for air traffic – will invest €5 million in stations in Luqa and Fawwara, limits of Siggiewi.

During a visit to inspect works at the Luqa station, he said the investment was needed for Malta to meet EU rules on aviation security and increase MATS’ capabilities.

Aviation traffic is a lucrative business for Malta as it controls a large airspace spanning from Crete to the Italian island of Lampedusa.

All commercial planes apart from military aircraft flying through Malta’s airspace have to pay fees. This generates an estimated €13 million each year.

MATS CEO, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, said the new radars, which have a 200-mile range, will cover the approach and landing of all aircraft flying into Malta.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.