If you love a bit of local nostalgia, this throwback shared by the Facebook group ‘Iż-Żurrieq u l-madwar’ is quite a gem.

The black-and-white photo captures a moment frozen in time at Luqa Aerodrome in 1960, showing a group of sharply dressed luggage handlers loading bags onto a plane operated by BEA – British European Airways. With their neat, formal uniforms (a far cry from today’s safer and more practical workwear!) and the minimal baggage being stacked onto the aircraft, it's a scene that definitely contrasts with the hustle and bustle of modern-day travel.

In case you didn’t know, BEA stood for British European Airways, a UK-based airline that operated from 1946 to 1974. BEA was a major player in post-war commercial aviation, flying to destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, including Malta, of course!

Luqa Aerodrome, now known as Malta International Airport, was still a mix of civilian and military use back then, with RAF operations running alongside emerging passenger services.

And with summer holidays approaching just over a month away, it’s a great reminder of how Malta’s aviation history has taken off – quite literally!

Does anything in the photo looks familiar to you?