Malta International Airshow 2020 preparations cancelled due to ‘lack of government effort’

Having worked with the Ministry for Tourism to organise the Malta International Airshow 2020, the Malta Aviation Society (MAS) has announced that it has ceased all preparations for the event.

This is the third time this event has hit a brick wall in as many years, and the air show, regarded as a world-class event, normally takes place in September and has been held for 25 years.

MAS explained in a press statement that “the main reason that brought the MAS to the decision is that Malta International Airport plc (MIA) – Malta’s operator of the country’s only airport – refused to provide adequate parking space for airshow aircraft.”

“The MAS is not convinced that the two aircraft parking ramps requested form part of the core operations of MIA. MAS has gathered daily information of aircraft using such parks over the last days.”

MAS insisted that the evidence clearly shows that both parks are seldom used and when they are, there are hardly more than five visiting aircraft.

“The MAS takes the opportunity to also thank the Malta Air Traffic Services for its full support while preparations where underway.

“The Malta Aviation Society is saddened to see that the Government of Malta did not put enough effort into insisting with MIA plc to provide the space required, thus precluding Malta from having its own proper airshow like every other European country.”

Past cancellations

In 2018, the society said that after writing to the tourism ministry only hours after the 2017 show, seeking guidance and commitment for the next event, having had no reply, it had been left with no option but to abandon any arrangement for the event.

While the Malta Aviation Society was aware of major work at the airport, they said that it is sad to note that after 25 years of successfully delivering a world-class aviation event hailed by many both locally and overseas, it had not even received an acknowledgement.

Fast forward to the 2019 show, and MAS had hit another snag in their preparations and the effort to put on the show was, again, cancelled.