RAF Krendi

The closure was a direct result of the post-World War II military drawdown. With the end of hostilities, the strategic need for multiple, dispersed airfields on the small island of Malta diminished significantly. RAF Luqa was selected as the primary, permanent air station for the RAF in Malta, making Krendi and other satellite fields like Ta' Qali and Hal Far redundant for large-scale flying operations. Its closure was part of a broader consolidation of British military assets on the island.

The site of the former RAF Krendi has been extensively redeveloped and repurposed. The original layout is still partially visible from the air, but the land now has multiple uses:
- **Public Infrastructure:** A significant portion of the main runway (06/24) has been converted into a public road, Triq l-Imqabba.
- **Industrial Estate:** The former technical site and domestic areas have been developed into the Mqabba Industrial Estate.
- **Recreation:** A section of another runway is now used as the 'La Reve' go-karting track.
- **Agriculture:** Large parts of the former airfield have been reclaimed for agricultural use.
- **Historical Remnants:** Several original structures, including blast pens, dispersal bays, and the foundations of Nissen huts, still exist and are scattered across the area, serving as a tangible reminder of the airfield's wartime past.

RAF Krendi holds significant historical importance, primarily for its role during World War II. Constructed rapidly between late 1941 and 1942 during the intense Siege of Malta, its purpose was to relieve the other heavily bombed airfields (Luqa, Ta' Qali, Hal Far) and provide dispersal areas to protect aircraft from Axis air raids. It became fully operational in 1942 and played a crucial role in the final stages of the island's defence. The airfield was instrumental as a base for fighter and bomber squadrons, including Spitfires, Beaufighters, and Mosquitos. Its most vital contribution was during the Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) in July 1943, when it served as a forward operating base for RAF, SAAF, and USAAF fighter and fighter-bomber units providing air cover and support for the invasion force. After the success of Operation Husky, its operational tempo decreased as the front lines moved further into Italy.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening RAF Krendi as an airport. Reopening is considered highly improbable, if not impossible, for several key reasons:
1. **Redevelopment:** The land has been permanently repurposed for industrial, recreational, and public infrastructure use.
2. **Proximity to Main Airport:** The site is located less than 2 kilometers from Malta International Airport (ICAO: LMML), the country's sole and fully-equipped international airport, which was itself the former RAF Luqa.
3. **Lack of Need:** Malta is adequately served by its existing international airport, and there is no economic or logistical justification for developing a second major airfield on the densely populated island.