NoneMT 🇲🇹 Closed Airport
MT-0001
-
235 ft
MT-05
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 35.81333° N, 14.513379° E
Continent: EU
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: HMS Falcon
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| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
09/27 |
4800 ft | - ft | ASP | Closed |
13/31 |
6000 ft | - ft | ASP | Closed |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
The airfield was officially handed over to the Maltese government and ceased all flight operations in 1978. The final closure was part of the British military's withdrawal from Malta, which was completed by 1979.
The airport's closure was a direct result of a political and military decision. Following Malta's independence in 1964, a subsequent agreement with the United Kingdom led to the phased withdrawal of all British forces from the island. RAF Hal Far was handed over to the Maltese government as part of this military drawdown, not for economic or safety reasons.
The former airfield site has been completely repurposed and is no longer recognizable as an airport. The land is now used for a variety of purposes:
- **Hal Far Raceway:** A portion of the main runway has been converted into a drag racing strip, which is actively used for motorsport events.
- **Ħal Far Industrial Estate:** A large section of the site is now a major industrial park, housing numerous factories and businesses.
- **Detention and Open Centres:** The area hosts reception and detention facilities for asylum seekers.
- **Recreational Areas:** Parts of the site have been developed into public parks and recreational zones.
Some original structures, like the control tower and a few hangars, still exist but are in a derelict state.
RAF Hal Far holds significant historical importance as Malta's first permanent airfield, constructed between 1922 and 1923. Its most critical role was during World War II, particularly during the intense Siege of Malta (1940-1942). It served as a primary base for Royal Air Force fighter squadrons operating Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires, which were crucial in defending the island from relentless Axis air attacks. After the war, in 1946, it was transferred to the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm and renamed HMS Falcon, operating carrier-based aircraft. It was also a key staging post during the 1956 Suez Crisis. For a brief period, it also handled civilian flights before the civil air terminal was established at the nearby RAF Luqa.
There are no plans or prospects for reopening RAF Hal Far as an airport. The extensive and permanent redevelopment of the site for industrial, residential, and recreational purposes makes its conversion back to an airfield virtually impossible. Furthermore, Malta's national aviation needs are fully served by the nearby Malta International Airport (located at the former RAF Luqa), making a second major airport on the small island both unnecessary and impractical.