The runway has re-opened to general aviation, with minor infrastructural works due to take place in early January.
Runway 23-05 is generally limited to use by general aviation aircraft and aviation training institutions, but it also carries 9% of the airport’s commercial movements. Apart from providing the airport with additional operational flexibility, the resurfacing of this runway was critical to ensure that rehabilitation works could be undertaken on the primary runway, Runway 13-31, over the coming years.
“This rehabilitation project formed part of our airport’s €250m capital investment programme for the period covering 2023 until 2028, which will deliver significant upgrades aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of airport operations while developing the airport further,” said Malta International Airport’s chief executive officer, Alan Borg.
Due to the scale of the infrastructural works required, the phasing of the project was meticulously planned, with the excavation, build-up and reconstruction of sections of the runway taking place at all hours to ensure that the programme of works was completed as quickly yet safely as possible. Work undertaken included the application of approximately 35,000 tonnes of special asphalt and the replacement of approximately 3,000m2 of damaged concrete sections with durable concrete blocks to bolster the structural integrity of the runway. Fifty kilometres of cable ducts were installed along the sides of the runway, together with 35km of cables, while 100 new manholes were introduced, to facilitate seamless cable routing.
More than 2.4km of stormwater pipework were installed, to mitigate the risk of water accumulation on the runway, and new lighting control systems integrated, complementing the 300 newly installed light fittings along the runway. New paint markings were added, covering 6,500m2.
The project was undertaken by a 400-strong team.
