Malta Aviation Museum

About the museum

The Malta Aviation Museum Foundation is a voluntary, non-profit organisation that was set up on 1 November 1994. It brought together several associations with the aim of creating a display of exhibits on Malta’s rich aviation history, and since then it has acquired, restored and preserved aircraft, artefacts and documents of cultural, historical and educational value. The aircraft are restored to flying, taxiing or static display condition; some were used in Malta, others fit into the story of Maltese aviation.

The museum began in two Romney huts on the site of the former RAF station at Ta’ Qali. Today it has two large hangars as well: the Air Battle of Malta Memorial Hangar, opened in September 2005, and the main exhibition hangar, opened in September 2011, which shows aircraft from the 1950s to the 1980s. Royal Navy aircraft stand in the reception area, and visitors can see restoration work in progress in the workshop.

The collection covers aircraft, helicopters, airfield ground equipment and aviation memorabilia from the early days of flight in Malta to the present. The site also has a memorial chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto, patron saint of fliers, which honours the RAF personnel who died defending Malta in the Second World War, a memorial garden, a cafeteria and a shop.

Highlights

• Air Battle of Malta Memorial Hangar, with a documentary film on the war in Malta
• Main exhibition hangar with aircraft from the 1950s to the 1980s
• Royal Navy aircraft and a working restoration workshop
• Memorial chapel for the RAF airmen who died defending Malta
• Henriette Chevalier Memorial Garden and a small play area

Permanent exhibitions

• Air Battle of Malta Memorial Hangar – Hangar dedicated to the air battle over Malta in the Second World War, with a documentary film on wartime Malta.
• Main exhibition hangar – Aircraft from the 1950s to the 1980s, including aircraft connected with Malta’s aviation history.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Malta Aviation Museum Foundation

Admission & discounts

Members of the Malta Aviation Museum Foundation can visit free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The floors are level concrete throughout, and a steel sheet bridge over the hangar door rails allows wheelchair access to both hangars; the chapel has a ramp. Two wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge at the reception. There is an accessible unisex toilet with a baby changing unit and a car park with three bays for disabled visitors. Seating is provided at intervals around the museum.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

A small play area with swings, a merry-go-round and bouncing horses is next to the museum’s outdoor seating.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A cafeteria in a Nissen hut offers vending machines for hot and cold drinks and snacks, with tables and chairs. The souvenir shop at the reception sells books, magazines, model kits and aviation gifts. There are three outdoor resting areas with benches.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit