Malta will be hosting the Valletta Summit on migration between 11th and 12th November as well as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) between 27th and 29th November. Here are some questions and answers about how these two international summits will affect passengers and airport operations.

1) How will airport operations be impacted by the two international summits Malta is hosting this month?

The summits present several challenges for Malta International Airport due to the number of VIP delegations arriving, mostly on dedicated State aircraft. For both events, the airport will continue running normally, seeing roughly 10,000 passengers every day, over and above the numbers expected for these events. Several measures will be adopted by MIA to ensure that, to the extent possible, flights operate according to schedule.

2)  What security measures are being taken to safeguard the security of passengers during these high-profile events?

Security is a top priority and is managed in partnership with the office of the Aviation Security Malta. The usual security screening provisions for all departing passengers will apply. To mitigate security risks, the Police Force will also strengthen its border control policies at the airport by implementing Non-Schengen controls for all passengers.

3) What do Non-Schengen controls entail?

Each passenger, whether departing from or arriving at Malta International Airport, will go through an immigration control point, irrespective of the destination and/or country of origin. This means that Personal Identification Document controls will be effected in the Departures Area directly ahead of the boarding gates, as well as in the Arrivals Area of the terminal.

4) Do I need to bring any additional documents to pass through Immigration controls?

No. The same rules will continue to apply. You will need to produce a passport if you are travelling to/arriving from a Non-Schengen country but an official ID card would suffice if you are travelling to/arriving from a Schengen country*. Schengen passengers will nonetheless require to pass through an Immigration control point.

5) How will road traffic be impacted?

Between November 9th and November 13th, several arterial roads leading to and from MIA will at times be closed off to traffic by the Police during the arrival and departure of dignitaries attending the Valletta Summit. Vehicles obstructing road entrances to MIA will be towed away.

Departing passengers travelling during this period are advised to allow for sufficient time to get to the airport as their trip may be affected by transit delays along the indicated vehicular routes.

*Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Marketing & Brand Development

7 November 2015