RAF Kalafrana RAF Kalafrana was a seaplane operations centre on the southernmost tip of Malta between 1917 and 1946 , when it was transferred to the Royal Navy . It played an important role in both world wars , starting as a base for anti - submarine and anti - piracy operations , its role being expanded to include Air Sea Rescue ( ASR ) operations as aircraft usage and accident rates increased in the inter war years . Malta ' s operating bases . The Royal Naval Air Service base was formed early in 1917 when a slipway and seaplane shed were built , a dockyard construction unit moving in by June 1917 to assemble seaplane parts brought in from the UK . By the end of July , five Curtiss H4 small American flying boats were flown out of Felixstowe , England , to begin patrolling the approaches to Malta . Later they were joined by Short type 184 seaplanes and two small FBA two - seat flying boats . These were supported by De Havilland DH9 s based at the grounds of the Royal Malta Golf Club at the Marsa , operating in the anti - submarine role . The DH9s formed the nucleus of Malta ' s first shore based air element , increasing the islands all - weather anti - submarine capability . By January 1923 , a dedicated aerodrome was built at Ħal Far , providing a shore base for carrier based aircraft . These were supplemented by another grass and earth airfield at Ta ' Qali in 1940 , both of which imposed severe operating restrictions in wet weather . In October 1939 , work began on an aerodrome with a paved runway at Luqa . Operations and Role . With the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918 , the RAF Kalafrana command was formalised under Colonel C . Reynolds . 267 squadron was formed at RAF Kalafrana on 27 September 1918 from 360 , 361 , 362 and 363 flights as an anti - submarine unit flying patrols in the Mediterranean until the end of hostilities . 267 Squadron remained at Malta until being renumbered No . 481 Flight on 1 August 1923 . By December 1936 , 701 Squadron moved to RAF Kalafrana operating Hawker Osprey s , Fairey 111F s , Blackburn Shark s , Fairey Seal s and Fairey Swordfish . By September 1937 , 209 and 210 squadrons were operating Short Singapore on anti - piracy patrols for the benefit of British shipping during the Spanish Civil war . By 1940 , these were supplemented by anti - submarine Sunderlands of 228 squadron along with Supermarine Walrus flying boats and a float - equipped Fairey Swordfish in the ASR role . A detachment of Short Sunderland Mk . Is from 228 squadron based at RAF Alexandria operated out of RAF Kalafrana between 10 June and 25 March 1941 . RAF Kalafrana also served as an ASR centre , operating a number of high speed launches of various types . A secondary base at Ta ' Veccia in St . Paul ' s bay gave the maritime section greater coverage and reduced reaction times . The maintenance wing at RAF Kalafrana operated as the logistical recycling centre for RAF operations in Malta throughout the war . Engines , electronics , airframe parts and armaments from damaged aircraft were recovered , stored , repaired if necessary and reused where possible . Recycling had become critical to the war effort in Malta as the island ' s isolation increased with the southward shift of Axis forces in late 1941 . Kalafrana today . Between 1946 and 1979 , the base was used by the Royal Navy as a general maintenance facility . The original site is buried under what is now the Malta Freeport terminal .