Nonstop flight route between Big Rapids, Michigan, United States and Luqa, Malta:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Roben-Hood Airport (WBR), Big Rapids, Michigan, United States and Malta International Airport (MLA), Luqa, Malta would travel a Great Circle distance of 4,998 miles (or 8,044 kilometers).

A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Roben-Hood Airport and Malta International Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.

Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Roben-Hood Airport and Malta International Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!

Departure Airport Information:

Arrival Airport Information:

Facts about Roben-Hood Airport (WBR):

• In addition to being known as "Roben-Hood Airport", another name for WBR is "RQB".
• Nothing appears in the paper again until November 1970 when there was agreement between city officials, Ferris personnel, County officials, and IDC members, to improve the airport, including a 5000 runway, and the Brewer Engineering firm was hired to affect a feasibility study.
• The closest airport to Roben-Hood Airport (WBR) is Nartron Field (RCT), which is located only 12 miles (20 kilometers) N of WBR.
• The furthest airport from Roben-Hood Airport (WBR) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,143 miles (17,933 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
• Because of Roben-Hood Airport's relatively low elevation of 990 feet, planes can take off or land at Roben-Hood Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• Other than a reported visit of 30 Civil Air Patrol airplanes on July 13, 1942, there is little reported activity at the airport until June 1950 when the County returned the field to the City because of CAA urging and other factors.
• In 1940, some woods were removed on the northwest portion that allowed an increase of 400 feet to the “EIW” runway to 2400 feet.
• Roben-Hood Airport (WBR) has 2 runways.
• In the months following the dedication there appears to be a renewed interest n obtaining a larger parcel of land for the airport, spearheaded by the Rotary Club, American Legion, Exchange Club, and the Big Rapids Board of Trade.
• On July 2, 1930, it was reported that a landing field had been purchased 2 weeks before due to “efforts by the American Legion”.

Facts about Malta International Airport (MLA):

• The airport is located 5 km southwest of the capital, Valletta.
• Malta International Airport (MLA) has 2 runways.
• Because of Malta International Airport's relatively low elevation of 300 feet, planes can take off or land at Malta International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• Arriva Malta buses serve the airport.
• In addition to being known as "Malta International Airport", other names for MLA include "Luqa Airport" and "Valletta Airport".
• In October 1977, a new and longer runway was launched and works commenced on the extension and refurbishment of the air terminal.
• Malta International Airport handled 405,200 passengers last year.
• Ryanair based one aircraft in Malta from May 2010, increasing to two from May 2012.
• The closest airport to Malta International Airport (MLA) is Xewkija / Gozo Heliport (GZM), which is located only 16 miles (26 kilometers) NW of MLA.
• Automated money exchange dispensers and ATM are available on the passengers area and arrivals.
• The furthest airport from Malta International Airport (MLA) is Chatham Islands (CHT), which is located 11,639 miles (18,731 kilometers) away in Waitangi, Chatham Islands, New Zealand.