The village is in one sense the gateway to the Maltese Islands. It gave its name to Malta's sole airport situated nearby, which for many years was known simply as Luqa Airport, before being named Malta International Airport.
Ħal Luqa's proximity to the country's airfield led to its near destruction in World War II, but luckily the village's two 15th century churches survived. The parish church of St. Andrew, patron saint of fishermen, contains an original altarpiece by the Calabrian Knight, Mattia Preti.
Ħal Luqa is also near the sea - as indicated by its choice of patron saint - and to Malta's large, modern Freeport.