Malta Airport adding five new Schengen gates in €345 million investment

Five new departure gates will be added to the Malta International Airport as part of a major expansion of the MIA’s eastern wing.

A spokesperson for the MIA confirmed with BusinessNow.mt that all five new gates will cater for flights from Schengen countries. It will increase the total number of departure gates from 18 to 23 – 15 Schengen gates and eight non-Schengen ones.

Meanwhile, 32 new check-in desks will be installed to cater for the expected increase in flights and the baggage handling facilities will be upgraded. 

This is part of a €345 million investment that was launched last year as part of a five-year plan that is set for completion by 2028. The details were provided yesterday by MIA CEO Alan Borg at a press conference with Prime Minister Robert Abela. 

And while the investment will certainly allow the airport to welcome more flights and passengers, Mr Borg stressed that it wasn’t being carried out simply to increase capacity. 

“Its primary objective is to enhance the overall experience for departing passengers,” he said. 

In 2025, Malta International Airport was connected to 111 destinations across 37 markets, served by 34 airlines. A record 10.06 million passengers passed through, and the airport is now targeting 10.5 million passenger movements for 2026.

Cover photo: Malta International Airport