The Design Solution to drive Malta International Airport’s landmark transformation

MALTA. The Design Solution (TDS) has been selected to lead the planning and design for the first phase of Malta International Airport’s latest expansion project.

The transformation programme is described as the airport’s largest development initiative since its opening in March 1992.

The Eastern Expansion project, developed in collaboration with Malta-based architects and project managers QP, has been submitted for planning.

Key highlights include upgrades to the check-in hall and a significant departure lounge and gate area extension.

Central to the project is the introduction of a double-height departure lounge, designed to elevate the passenger experience by providing a greater sense of space and a more relaxed atmosphere.

The Design Solution Managing Director Robbie Gill said, “We are proud to have a long and highly effective relationship with Malta International Airport and are delighted to support the management team in the latest phase of the airport’s long-term development.

“As the airport’s traffic continues to expand it is crucial to optimise the utilisation of valuable terminal space, supporting the efficiency of passenger processing and further enhancing the quality of the passenger’s airport journey.

“Malta International Airport was recently voted among the top airports in Europe in the ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards for the seventh year in a row, demonstrating the airport’s sustained commitment to achieving an exceptional passenger experience. I’m certain that this latest development project will help them continue to deliver that service excellence in the future.”

The project was originally planned in 2019 when The Design Solution was appointed to draft a masterplan guiding the terminal’s future expansion. The plan covered enhancements to key passenger facilities, including check-in, baggage reclaim, security, transfers, arrivals and the departure lounge with its gate areas.

This initiative forms part of a renewed €345 million (US$391.5 million) investment programme to drive innovation across the airport’s operations, commercial services and sustainable development.

The multi-phase development is strategically designed to future-proof the airport’s infrastructure to ensure it meets evolving demands for years to come.

Aside from the Eastern Expansion project, the airport company highlighted its plans to modernise the landside commercial spaces to better serve passengers, employees and the local community. The design for the central area between arrivals and departures incorporates Maltese culture, using local materials such as limestone and traditional architectural elements.

Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg added, “Our updated investment programme, particularly the Eastward Expansion, reaffirms our commitment to continue evolving Malta International Airport to further improve the guest experience. Most importantly, this is the first step towards realising an ambitious master plan that puts passengers at the forefront of our vision for the airport.

“Despite the pressures of record traffic and significant infrastructure upgrades, our team remained committed to the consistent delivery of a smooth and enjoyable airport experience for every passenger.

“That commitment is reflected in the fact that Malta International Airport once again ranked among Europe’s best airports in this year’s ACI ASQ awards, an industry recognition that is determined by the most important judge of all, the passenger.”

The partnership between TDS and Malta International Airport began in 2007, marking the start of several key development phases. These included a comprehensive terminal reconfiguration, the relocation of several operational elements such as Security, and expansion to introduce a walk-through duty-free shop and airline lounges.

The airport set a new passenger record in 2024, serving nearly 9 million passengers, a +15% year-on-year increase, reflecting a stable recovery from the pandemic.

The annual record was further bolstered by a new traffic peak in February, with 560,553 passengers, up +18.2% compared to February 2024.