10th Malta International Airshow and Ferrari-Vodafone Raduno

The 10th edition of the Malta International Airshow is being held next weekend at Malta International Airport. Vodafone Malta Limited are once again the main sponsors of the airshow.

This year's event will see the participation of over a hundred aircraft from Malta, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, France, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The main attraction for the public will undoubtedly be the aerobatic display of the famous Red Arrows on Saturday.

In many ways, this year's edition coincides with a number of important anniversaries being celebrated during the airshow. Apart from being the tenth edition of the airshow itself, MIA is also celebrating the tenth anniversary since commencing operations.

Malta is also celebrating the 60th anniversary since being awarded the George Cross. In fact, the organising committee has managed to obtain permission from the President of Malta to display the George Cross proper during the airshow.

To commemorate the event, WW2 veterans have been invited to Malta and the British Royal Navy will have a strong participation. Furthermore, the British Royal Air Force is specially sending a Spitfire that will be on display and will also be flying on both days of the airshow.

"Thanks to Vodafone Malta, aircraft enthusiasts will, once again, be enjoying a special event next weekend, Joseph C. Grioli, Vodafone Malta's managing director, said.

"This is especially the case because the displays will not just be static. Apart from the aerial displays, which are such an exciting feature of the annual airshow, visitors will also be able to see the Ferrari cars in action.

"As the airshow draws nearer, the anticipation among the Maltese aviation enthusiasts is clearly growing. This is a very prestigious event not just for enthusiasts but for Malta.

"Vodafone Malta is proud to be the main sponsor of this event, which should make next weekend a memorable one."

In fact, after the great success of last year's event, the Ferrari Owners' Club Malta is once again organising the Ferrari Raduno, with the main attraction being during the airshow on Sunday with the presence of the Ferrari cars.

Ferrari Owners' Club of Malta president Ray Vella said that this year's event, which will be officially recognised as "The Ferrari Legend in Malta", will prove to be even more exciting than last year's.

Mr Vella added that the organisation of such an event was only possible through the hard work of the dedicated club committee members, the association and collaboration with the Malta International Air Show organising committee and the exclusive sponsorship by Vodafone.

The Malta International Airshow is organised jointly by Malta International Airport plc, the Malta Aviation Society (a non-governmental organisation), the Armed Forces of Malta, Malta Air Traffic Services and the Ministry of Economic Services.

Meanwhile, Vodafone Malta and the Ferrari Club of Malta held a press conference at the Malta Hilton to give a detailed breakdown of next weekend's Ferrari-Vodafone Raduno. Mr Vella said a highlight will be the participation of an Italian entrant who will race in an uprated Ferrari F50 (650 bhp) against a Dutch F16 fighter.

"We are certain it will be a memorable weekend for all," he added. Mr Grioli said worldwide the Vodafone group was a major sponsor of Ferrari: "We sponsor winners because we want to be winners."

A novelty is the trip to Gozo next Saturday, with the cars leaving the Hilton at 9.30 a.m., going via the Coast Road to Cirkewwa. In Gozo there will be a static display at the Kempinski San Lawrenz Hotel at 12.30 p.m.

On Sunday the cars again leave the Hilton at 9.30 a.m. taking an hour's drive around the south of Malta to Malta International Airport. There will be a static show at 11 and at noon, the Ferraris will line up for the runway challenge. The F50 F15 challenge will be held at 1.30 p.m. and there will be a further static show at 2.