Malta International Airport (MIA) has just completed reconstruction of taxiways Alpha and Bravo, which form a holding loop at the threshold of Runway 31.

The runway heads into the predominant wind direction, namely north-westerly, and is thus MIA's main take-off and landing runway carrying about 60 per cent of all movements annually.

The runway does not have a parallel taxiway and this requires aircraft to back track Runway 31 prior to take-off. The Alpha Bravo taxiway loop is consequently a significant complement to the principal runway's infrastructure. It primarily provides air traffic controllers with the means to interface aircraft movements more efficiently by utilising short duration opportunities to taxi and hold aircraft close to the runway threshold between landings on the respective runway. This has a dramatic effect on reducing aircraft taxi times and, hence, aircraft fuel consumption on the ground, the MIA said.

The taxiway's layout and location provides a route for heavy aircraft turnouts prior to takeoff, which would otherwise be impossible on a 60-metre runway without significant wear or damage to the pavement surface.

MIA is highly susceptible to seasonal fluctuations which are typically characterised by peak aircraft operations alternating against periods of low aircraft movements.

The situation places much higher demands on the ability of the aerodrome infrastructure to consistently and efficiently handle aircraft movements without capacity restrictions.

This must also be taken in perspective of minimum construction standards required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to ensure the safety of aircraft movements during landing, take-off and taxiing.

The development of the aerodrome infrastructure is an essential element of MIA growth strategy. Considering the construction lead times required, the significant costs involved and the potential for temporary disruption of operations during works, early planning was essential, MIA said.

A comprehensive process was in fact undertaken to identify the most critical elements of the airfield's taxiway system, which had the potential to restrict short-term and future capacity, introducing delays or denying aircraft slot availability.

Account was also taken of the increasing size of aircraft using the aerodrome for the transfer of passengers and cargo and to providing access to wide-body aircraft seeking to use Lufthansa Technik's maintenance facilities.

Following its reconstruction, the Alpha and Bravo taxiway system now provides access to any size of aircraft including the massive AN-124 cargo transport, without restrictions.

Its paved shoulder areas now eliminate any risk associated with debris ingestion by aircraft engines being manoeuvred over grass verges.

The proximity of the construction site to active movement area required the careful planning of safety procedures for the control of work activities, intensive consultation with aviation stakeholders, procedural training for MIA and contractor's staff and continuous monitoring for compliance with established procedures.

In spite of the temporary runway restrictions imposed, the works were completed without imposing delays to aircraft operations and were completed within six months.

The taxiway reconstruction was partially financed by EU funds provided under the TEN-T Programme.