RAF Maintenance Base Safi

Royal Air Force Safi was a Royal Air Force maintenance base located on the island of Malta, which started life in 1941 as a diversion airstrip for the main operating bases such as nearby RAF Luqa. Other diversion airstrips similar in function to Safi were located at RAF Krendi and on Malta's second island of Gozo.

RAF Safi Maintenance Base
Malta
Near Ħal Safi
RAF Safi
Shown within Malta
Coordinates35°50′30″N 014°29′30″E
TypeDiversion airfield then Maintenance Base
Site information
OwnerNow Government of Malta
Controlled byMalta Industrial Parks Ltd
ConditionExtensively developed as a hangar site
Site history
Built1941 (1941)
Built byThe Malta Police and Royal Hampshire Regiment
In use1943-1979 (1979)
RAF Safi is officially inaugurated by Air Vice Marshal Keith Park in 1943.
Lord Gort (Governor of Malta) inspects a RAF honour guard at RAF Safi in May 1943

History

Second World War

RAF Safi was constructed at a time when Malta was under intense aerial bombardment and Malta's Air Command needed to have alternative diversion airstrips on Malta, as the RAF's main operating bases were being bombed. Construction started in 1941 and the strips were ready for use in 1942.[1][2][3]

The base was officially inaugurated by AOC Malta Sir Keith Park in May 1943, but had been completed by 1942; it would remain operational throughout the War in the Mediterranean.[4]

Post war

After the war, Saifi was reduced in function, becoming a maintenance base.[5] In April 1957 the then Maltese Prime Minister Mr Dom Mintoff requested that the UK Government consider turning over RAF Saifi to his government.[6] By 1961 the RAF maintenance facility at Safi was mostly civilian manned and discussions in London were taking place about it being run down.[7]

The RAF left in 1979 following a British government decision not to renew the lease on RAF Luqa.

Current use

Whilst Safi's runway has long gone the hangar and dispersal area have been extensively redeveloped and two large hangars constructed which are associated with the international airport at Luqa, which has absorbed the site. There is also a neighbouring aviation business park development.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Safi - Maltese History & Heritage". vassallohistory.wordpress.com. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  2. "Safi". www.forgottenairfields.com. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  3. Canwell, Diane; Sutherland, Jon (2009). Air War Malta: June 1940 to November 1942. Casemate Publishers. p. 83. ISBN 9781844157402. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  4. Allied, Newspapers (8 March 2017). "An evening of nostalgia for RAF base in Luqa". Times of Malta. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  5. UK, National Archives. "RAF Maintenance Base, Safi (Malta)". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  6. Studies, University of London: Institute of Commonwealth (2006). Malta. The Stationery Office. p. 175. ISBN 9780112905905.
  7. Ibid, p278
  8. "Safi Aviation Park". www.mip.com.mt. Retrieved 20 July 2017.


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