The Malta International Airshow is not taking place in 2026. The Malta International Airshow is hosted every 2 years. The most recent edition was held on 27–28 September 2025. The event will return in 2027. This article covers the biennial schedule, the full history of the Malta Airshow, what the 2025 edition included, and what visitors can expect from the 2027 return.
For official aviation safety context, see the UK Civil Aviation Authority. For the previous guide in this series, see Jersey Airshow 2026: Date, Aircraft, Location, and What to Expect at This Free 4-Hour Display.
What Is the Malta International Airshow?
The Malta International Airshow is Malta’s largest outdoor aviation event, held biennially in September at Malta International Airport. Since its inaugural event in 1993, the Malta International Airshow has become a premier attraction, drawing aviation enthusiasts from around the globe. It showcases an impressive array of military and civilian aircraft, including aerobatic performances and static displays.
Organised by the Malta Aviation Society, the event has built a reputation over 28 editions for bringing together nations from all over the globe, including Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and North America. Many participating nations send aircraft not often seen at other airshows, making it a firm favourite with aviation enthusiasts.
Why Is There No Malta Airshow in 2026?
The Malta International Airshow runs on a confirmed biennial cycle, meaning it takes place every 2 years. As of 2025, the airshow is held every 2 years. With a full edition staged in September 2025, the next confirmed edition falls in 2027. No 2026 event has been announced by the Malta Aviation Society.
The airshow’s schedule has seen several interruptions since 1993, including cancellations in 2018 and 2019 due to lack of funds, in 2020 due to COVID-19, in 2022, and in 2024. The airshow returned in 2021 and 2023 before staging its most recent edition in 2025.
Where Does the Malta International Airshow Take Place?
The Malta International Airshow uses 2 venues simultaneously: Malta International Airport and the St Paul’s Bay coastline.
The event combines a static exhibition at Malta International Airport with flying displays over St Paul’s Bay on the northern side of the island. The 3 specific sites used in 2025 were:
- Safi Aviation Park — main static display area with aircraft, catering, merchandise, and classic cars
- easyJet Engineering Apron (Hal-Farrug) — secondary static area for flying aircraft
- St Paul’s Bay Coastline — free flying display viewed from the shore
A free shuttle bus links the 2 static sites. All this takes place against the constant backdrop of commercial traffic at Malta International Airport, a reminder that the island is a key hub in the heart of the Mediterranean.
What Did the Malta Airshow 2025 Include?
The 2025 edition took place on 27–28 September 2025 and featured contributions from multiple nations. The 2025 edition saw exceptional support from the German Luftwaffe and Italian air arms, plus notable participants from Eastern Europe in the static display.
Aircraft and teams confirmed at the 2025 Malta International Airshow included:
| Aircraft / Team | Nation | Display Type |
| Panavia Tornado IDS (50th Anniversary) | Germany | Flying and Static |
| Eurofighter Typhoon (TLG 31 and TLG 74) | Germany | Flying and Static |
| Airbus A400M Atlas | Germany | Static |
| P-3C Orion | Germany | Static |
| Red Arrows | United Kingdom | Flying |
| SOLOTÜRK F-16 | Türkiye | Flying |
| French Navy Dassault Falcon 10MER | France | Flying |
| Boeing TC-135W Stratolifter | United States | Static |
| C-21A Learjet | United States | Static |
| Panavia Tornado (50th Anniversary) | Italy | Static |
| Leonardo MH-169M helicopter | Italy (Guardia di Finanza) | Static |
| Leonardo P-72B maritime patrol | Italy (Guardia di Finanza) | Static |
| NH Industries SH-90A | Italy (Navy) | Static |
| Lockheed C-130K Hercules | Austria | Static |
The Austrian Air Force Lockheed C-130K Hercules marked the air arm’s first participation at Malta in 25 years.
Are Flying Displays at the Malta Airshow Free?
Admission to the flying display at St Paul’s Bay is free. Entry to the static displays at Safi Aviation Park and the easyJet Engineering Malta apron requires a paid ticket. Under-16s attend free of charge with an adult ticket holder.
What Is the History of the Malta International Airshow?
The Malta International Airshow was first held in September 1993. The inaugural event was held over Marsamxett Harbour before the show moved to Malta International Airport. Exceptions occurred in 2007 and 2009, when the event was held at St Paul’s Bay due to the construction of new hangars at the airport, where cranes would have posed a hazard to low-flying aircraft.
The show’s editions by year:
- 1993 — inaugural edition, Marsamxett Harbour
- 2000–2017 — held at Malta International Airport with biennial and annual formats
- 2018–2019 — cancelled due to insufficient funding
- 2020 — cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
- 2021 — returned after 3-year absence
- 2022 — cancelled
- 2023 — held; USAF TC-135W made first appearance at any European airshow
- 2024 — cancelled
- 2025 — held 27–28 September; 28th edition
In 2023, the United States Air Force Boeing TC-135W Stratolifter made its first-ever appearance at a European airshow in Malta. Spectators were treated to displays by the Flying Bulls with a North American B-25J Mitchell bomber and Lockheed P-38L Lightning, the SoloTurk F-16 solo display team, the Polish Air Force F-16 Tiger Demo Team, the Swiss Hornet Solo Display team, and the iconic Red Arrows.
Who Organises the Malta International Airshow?
The Malta International Airshow is organised by the Malta Aviation Society (MAS), a non-governmental organisation (NGO VO/0411). The airshow is mainly staffed by approximately 200 dedicated volunteers, mostly from Malta but also from different countries. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of the show, from greeting aircrew on arrival to assisting the public with queries.
What Makes the Malta Airshow Distinct from Other European Airshows?
The Malta International Airshow is recognised for 3 characteristics that separate it from other European aviation events:
1. Dual-venue format. The dual-venue arrangement gives Malta a flavour unlike any other European show, combining the setting of a busy commercial airport with the spectacle of a seaside flying line.
2. Rare and unusual aircraft. The Malta Aviation Society has a stellar reputation for attracting rare and exotic aircraft. Many nations send aircraft not often seen at other airshows, so it has become a firm favourite with enthusiasts.
3. Mediterranean setting with free public access. Visitors can remove any traffic concerns by booking accommodation directly in St Paul’s Bay, potentially enjoying the free flying display from a hotel balcony. Malta is steeped in history and also offers beach resorts, making it suitable for both aviation fans and general visitors.
What Is the Malta Aviation Museum?
The Malta Aviation Museum is located on a former RAF wartime airfield and operates alongside the airshow. The museum tells Malta’s aviation story with highlights including the restored Spitfire Mk.IX EN199, Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIa, and a Vampire T.11. Trainers, liaison aircraft, and an active restoration workshop add further depth. Together, the museum and the airshow give visitors the chance to enjoy Malta’s aviation heritage, past and present, in the same weekend.
What Can Visitors Expect from the Malta Airshow 2027?
The Malta International Airshow is confirmed to return in 2027. The 2025 Malta International Airshow can be regarded as a success. The static event ran smoothly, and when the weather cleared, the flying displays were notable. The Malta Aviation Society has developed the show considerably over the last 6 years — the show now feels vibrant and well established in its current format.
Based on the current biennial format and recent edition structure, the 2027 show is expected to retain:
- Free flying displays over St Paul’s Bay coastline
- Paid static displays at Safi Aviation Park and easyJet Engineering Apron
- Free shuttle bus between the 2 static sites
- Under-16 free admission with adult ticket holder
- International military and civilian aircraft from Europe, North Africa, and North America
- Approximately 200 event volunteers
The displays that slipped into the evening light at the 2025 edition showed how spectacular Malta can look at that time of day. A dedicated sunset segment in future editions would only add to that appeal.
Official updates and future announcements are published at maltairshow.com.
Alex Bradley is a UK-based aviation writer and airshow circuit regular who has spent years attending displays from RIAT at Fairford and the Biggin Hill Festival of Flight to small fly-ins that drew two hundred people and a hot dog van, and values both for entirely different reasons.
He is not a pilot. He is not a PR man for the aviation industry. He is the person in the crowd who has been coming long enough to notice when something has quietly changed, when an organiser is papering over a problem, and when a display is genuinely worth the drive.
His writing on Redhill Airshow covers the British airshow circuit, safety, display team politics, CAA regulations, and the quiet contraction of grass airfield culture that nobody in the industry wants to discuss plainly.
He has stood at Redhill Aerodrome in every kind of English summer weather, watched Tiger Moths bank low over Surrey farmland, and carries strong opinions about what this country is slowly losing one cancelled event at a time.
