From the archipelago’s underwater world to Valletta’s underground tunnels, the Malta Airport Foundation was set up to invest in every aspect of Malta’s cultural and environmental heritage, and on World Heritage Day is taking a look at some of its projects.

Malta International Airport established the Malta Airport Foundation in 2014 as part of its refreshed approach to corporate responsibility. Committed to improving Product Malta for the benefit of both tourists and locals, Malta International Airport has made more than 600,000 euro available to the independently administered Foundation over the past five years.

The bulk of these funds were used by the Foundation to support two restoration projects undertaken by Din l-Art Ħelwa and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna. The Foundation’s collaboration with Din l-Art Ħelwa facilitated the restoration of 17th-century Torri Xutu in spectacular Wied iż-Żurrieq, within the airport’s neighbourhood. On the other hand, together with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, the Foundation is currently restoring the Combined Operations Room within the underground war headquarters in Valletta in a bid to make Malta’s wartime heritage more accessible to the public.

“Safeguarding our heritage does not simply entail making available financial support for the restoration of centuries-old monuments. The Malta Airport Foundation seeks to complement the funding available to it with a message of preservation of that which surrounds us, be it man-made or natural, tangible or intangible, so that we may pass on to future generations an inheritance that enriches their lives,” said Malta International Airport CEO Mr Alan Borg.

Two documentaries that were made with the Foundation’s support, and which are now available online, shine the spotlight on the rich marine life populating the waters surrounding Filfla and Comino. Both these documentaries communicate messages of conservation of our underwater heritage, which is so fascinating that it entices around 110,000 tourists to travel to Malta for a diving experience every year.

To read more about The Malta Airport Foundation and its projects, click here.

Published on: 16.04.2019