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WATCH: 50-year-old footage shows Malta’s runway undergoing early extension works
The airport at the time was also getting a brand new terminal.

Emma Galea

Footage shared by TVM earlier this week shows the Malta International Airport’s (MIA) runway undergoing extension works a whopping 50 years ago – back in 1972.

The footage shows off an array of workers working tirelessly to set the foundations for the many buildings and structures that paved the way for MIA as we know it.

The video shows a local broadcaster explaining all the changes that the airport was undergoing.

He also went on to inform drivers that a diversion was being built in order to replace the road between Zurrieq and Luqa, which was being taken up for the runway extension.

The broadcaster explained that a modern terminal was being built to give passengers a more comfortable airport experience.

Later on in the video, one can see a British journalist asking an airport representative whether “Malta has tourist potential,” to which he promptly replied – “certainly”.

“I’m sure that this is an island where you can build up an enormous business in tourism”, he continued.

50 years later, and the representative has been undoubtedly proven right, with millions of tourists visiting the islands every year.

The video concludes with a shot of passengers arriving in Malta in an old Alitalia plane.

Do you remember when these works were being done?

Facebook/TVM

11th August 2022


Emma Galea
Written by
Emma Galea
Emma is a Gozitan writer who loves all things related to English literature and history. When not busy studying or writing you will either find her immersed in a fictional book or at the cinema trying to watch as many films as she possibly can!

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