Malta International Airport is implementing a long-term arts and culture strategy aimed at enriching the airport experience through spaces that bring Malta’s heritage, creativity and contemporary identity to life.
This initiative is being delivered with the participation of the company’s newly established Arts Committee, which brings together airport employees from different departments.
Cultural strategist and consultant Maria Galea, working in collaboration with ARTZ ID.agency, is directing the strategy to ensure a coherent and forward-looking framework for cultural programming across the airport. In addition, an independent art advisory panel will be established to serve as a jury for open calls.
“As the first and last touchpoint for visitors to our islands, we have a unique opportunity to help shape perceptions of Malta. We are becoming increasingly aware that integrating local cultural elements can make the airport experience feel more authentic, creating moments that are more memorable and meaningful for our guests.
“We have placed our people at the heart of this initiative, as we believe that no one understands our premises, our passengers and our vision for our airport better than they do,” said Tina Lombardi, senior vice-president of commercial development and strategy at MIA.
A dedicated space
MIA already holds an art collection dating back to the 1960s, featuring works by some of Malta’s most prominent artists, including Esprit Barthet and Alfred Chircop. Under the new strategy, this collection will become more visible and accessible to millions of travellers, alongside temporary and permanent commissions that celebrate Maltese identity.
The programme will begin with the activation of a dedicated space for commissioned public artwork within MIA’s recently inaugurated Schengen corridor. This will be created through an open call system that invites artists, studios and collectives to contribute to this new cultural platform.
The strategy is designed to grow alongside the airport’s development, gradually expanding into permanent cultural activation areas and a structured programme calendar.
“An airport is not only an operational gateway, but a cultural one. By activating the collection and creating transparent pathways for new commissions, we are building a programme that reflects Malta’s identity and evolves with the airport over time,” said Maria Galea, cultural strategist and art consultant.
“An airport is not only an operational gateway, but a cultural one”
At a time of transformation for the airport, this programme will help strengthen the sense of place across the terminal through artist-led projects, commissions, placemaking initiatives and strategic partnerships.
Investment programme
In 2025, MIA welcomed over 10 million passengers, achieving a new traffic milestone. During the year, the Maltese islands were connected to 111 airports across 37 markets through flights operated by 34 airline partners. Four of these airlines introduced their services to and from Malta in 2025.
With continued investment being a pillar of its sustainable growth strategy, the company announced a €345 million five-year investment programme at the beginning of 2025. The programme is designed to bolster the infrastructure that contributes to more efficient airport operations, a more diversified retail and property portfolio, and the company’s pledge to minimise its environmental footprint.
Some of the most significant projects that were completed in 2025 were the 1,550-square-metre westward expansion of the terminal building, the release of the second set of four aircraft parking stands on Apron 8, the unveiling of a new VIP Terminal, and the commissioning of the airport’s fifth photovoltaic farm.
The company’s commitment towards airport guests and the people behind the airport’s 24/7 operation remained a priority.
In 2025, MIA became the first airport in the EU to obtain ISO 45003:2021 certification in recognition of its initiatives to safeguard its employees’ psychosocial well-being.
The company ended the year with the largest workforce to date, as a result of the demands of much busier operations and a more ambitious investment programme.
The company’s ongoing efforts to reduce direct emissions together with the purchase of high-quality carbon credits to offset residual emissions, allowed Malta International Airport to move up a level of Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme, to Level 3+ (neutrality). This achievement is in line with the target date stipulated in the company’s net zero road map.
The Malta Airport Foundation’s work to invest in the islands’ cultural and artistic heritage continued in earnest in 2025.
At the beginning of the year, the foundation announced a collaboration with Heritage Malta on the second phase of a project that will restore and embellish the Siege Bell Memorial in Valletta. In August, the foundation also unveiled an embellishment project inside Kirkop’s parish church, minutes away from the airport.
For more information, visit www.maltairport.com.
