Flying display delights fans

The weather - the only question mark looming over the Malta International Airshow - held out during the first day of the annual and anticipated weekend event, which, once again, attracted a good turnout.

More aircraft enthusiasts are expected to visit the 12th edition of the airshow at Malta International Airport today, organiser Joe Ciliberti said, adding that a good number of foreigners also attend the event.

"We were blessed with reasonably good weather," he said, encouraging the public to visit the airshow today and not to be put off by possible showers. "Air shows are held all over Europe, where the weather is not always good, and the planes are used to operating in bad conditions," he said.

In fact, the aircraft train for three different types of displays: the full display in clear weather, or scattered clouds; the medium display in high clouds; and the flat display in low clouds, Mr Ciliberti explained.

Among the highlights of the day was a flying display by the Frecce Tricolori, the stars of the airshow. After a 10-year absence, the Italian Air Force aerobatic team, the largest worldwide, flying 10 aircraft, returned to Malta on Thursday to wow the crowds over the weekend.

The Frecce Tricolori first flew to Malta in 1977 to inaugurate the lengthening of a runway, and have returned twice since then. Apart from being used for display, the Aermacchi MB339 are also used by the Italian Air Force to train new pilots, who are aged between 28-36.

The yearly aerial spectacle at MIA also includes performances by five other nations - Belgium, France, Germany, Holland and the UK, alongside the Armed Forces of Malta - both in the static and the flying display programme.

An F-16 and a PC-7 of The Royal Netherlands Air Force, along with four German tornadoes, are participating in the show, while Belgium has sent a pair of Alpha Jets.

The French Air Force is flying an Alpha Jet and displaying a Mirage 2000 and the UK has sent over a Harrier Jump Jet, two giant Chinook helicopters and three Jetstreams.

The flying display was held at 10.30 a.m. and noon and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. yesterday, and is being repeated in full today, while the static aircraft is being displayed on Park Four.

An additional feature at the 2004 airshow is the participation of three car clubs, namely the Ferrari Club Malta, the Malta Classic Car Association and the Island Car Club, which is performing for the crowds on the runway during the midday break today.

The Breitling hospitality tent played host to the pilots - as they unwound between aerial stunts - aircraft enthusiasts and lovers of prestigious watches alike.

The air show, co-ordinated by the Armed Forces of Malta, MIA, the Malta Air Traffic Services and the Malta Aviation Society, continues today with another full aerial display, weather permitting, including the flying display by the Frecce Tricolori at 5 p.m., bringing the 2004 event to a close.

The gate on the Hal Farrug Road is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a shuttle bus service is running between Valletta's main bus terminus and the air show.

Admission is Lm4 for adults and Lm1 for children, while parking for visitors is free.