Works on new SkyParks 2 business hotel to commence later this year

Works on Malta International Airport plc’s (MIA) new business hotel at SkyParks Business Centre 2 will commence later this year.

The hotel, which is still subject to approval, will have around 90 rooms and will be classed as a four-star establishment.

The total SkyParks 2 development will occupy a footprint of 4,600 square metres and a gross floor area of around 70,000 square metres, 9,600 square metres being utilised by the hotel. The hotel, located right behind McDonald’s, will replace a fuel station that was decommissioned, as well as coach wash premises and two ground parking areas.

Plans for the business hotel have been in the works for a number of years, dating back to several years before the COVID-19 pandemic. MIA issued a call for architects and engineers to submit an initial design concept for SkyParks 2 in 2019.

The pandemic led to MIA having to pause many of its infrastructural projects, yet once travel restrictions eased, it restarted its investment programme with an improved plan that will total €250 million. Last May, MIA estimated that its capital expenditure (CAPEX) for 2024 is expected to be close to €60 million.

Earlier this year, the Planning Authority gave its green light to approve the project, which will feature two blocks of offices, retail and catering outlets, as well as a third block dedicated to the hotel.

Contacted by MaltaCEOs.mt, a spokesperson for MIA said that once full approval is granted, the project will commence later this year.

The hotel structure will be the first to be constructed in 2025, with works then commencing on the remaining two buildings.

“This will be first step towards transforming the area into a modern, vibrant business hub,” the MIA spokesperson stated.

The project also includes a public square as well as landscaping that will link the three blocks. There are three underlying floors of basement parking also in the plans.

In its latest interim financial update for the first half of 2024, MIA stated that enabling works on the construction of SkyParks 2 have started, with excavation works set to commence in the third quarter of 2024.

Earlier announcements about the SkyParks 2 project stated that the hotel will enable business travellers to “maximise their time in Malta.”

Business hotels have a number of key differences from commercial hotels. While commercial hotels cater to many types of travellers, offering a mix of services and amenities, business hotels focus on business travellers, offering special services like conference rooms and dedicated workspaces. Business hotels also tend to have smaller-sized rooms and are located in places which are convenient to travellers, such as close to popular business centres and key areas for transport, including airports.