Is an air link a real necessity?

People like Franco J. Scicluna would say yes.

One of the reasons (?) Mr. Scicluna gives is that "If only a serious air service was in operation between Gozo and Malta International Airport a lot of hassle and hardship would have been avoided during the (bus) strike."
In his letter to The Times on Friday 25th July 2008 he wrote about a serious inter-island air service.

Once again, his letter provoked other people to add their comments on The Times on-line.

Here they are:

apgrech

What's wrong with extending Gozo's runway a bit and put two or three smaller aircrafts to service between Malta and Gozo? If prices are reasonable, the service will be used by many.

John Portelli
Gozo needs a viable airlink. Period. It's ridiculous that in this day and age, there is no airlink. We have gone back so much in time, it's not even funny. Is this what we call progress. Or is this a big joke.

Liam Kelly

So we're trying to justify using air transport to take us the gigantic distance of a few miles?

The spannish company stopped operating for a reason; no market.

Isn't it obvious what Roy Perry will want given is well known agenda?

The truth is it is unrealistic, unnecessary, irresponsible and down right damaging to have any form of air link to Gozo, deep down we all know that.

Hovercraft is the answer.

N Palmer

@Liam Kelly

I think you will find that Helisureste stopped operations because the cost associated with operating a helicopter in terms of maintenance and fuel far outweighed the price that people were willing to pay for the ticket.

It's not that there is no market for an air-link to Gozo but rather than it needs to be a cost effective solution, and helicopters are not the answer! This means that an air-link can only be served by a suitable fixed wing aircraft, and then one goes back to the various ongoing issues that have been discussed over the past couple of years.

Vincent Gauci

Before jumping to hasty conclusions about the need for increasing the length of the air strip in Gozo, we should see how this would feature within the concept of Gozo as an eco-island.

John Mizzi

If the heliport is not going to be used it should be decommissioned and all the buried cart ruts underneath uncovered. The Roman vine canals should be cleared as well and the whole area turned into a tourism archaeological park. The heritage superintendence should schedule the whole area ASAP. At Ta' Lambert Gozitans go to worship the Virgin Mary since they realize that the whole area is a special place.

L Galea

A Gozo aircraft link with the necessary extension to the runway is simply a continuation of the rape of Gozo. A bridge is an all-weather means of linking the Islands.

I agree with John Mizzi that the Roman vine canals be uncovered as they would serve as a tourist attraction.

How on earth can you boast of an eco-island when you want to continue to rape it to satisfy your greed and comfort?

Liam Kelly

@ N Palmer

So your saying when Helsureste did their feasibility research in the first place they thought...there's a market....so it must work....Operating costs... what are those?

Perhaps not.

Roy S. Perry

I wish to thank Franco for keeping the subject in view. The problem here is that nobody listens to exactly what is being proposed nor do they appreciate the need. There is a perfectly good ferry service for commuters in both directions. There is NOT a quick, comfortable and reliable fast link for our visitors, the elderly or infirm, those without patience or medical staff.

Go to the GozoAirlink blog and note that 85% of voters support it. Ask most Gozitans and they agree. Most of all, why don't we stop this 'pussyfooting about' and set up a meeting to exchange ideas instead of this perpetual slanging match.

An Airlink will bring discerning visitors, a bridge would ONLY be valid between communities of similar size. Most of all, I say, let Gozo decide.

By the way, I have designed and costed the idea of a bridge (actually two would be needed - via Comino - and a submersible tunnel. Both options are incredibly expensive and impractical. This, after all, is not Manhatten!

James A. Tyrrell

First of all I would like to say that I support what John Mizzi says 100%. I also agree with most of what Liam Kelly says although I don't think a hovercraft is the answer. Nor is a bridge as suggested by L Galea. The problem with a bridge apart from the obvious one of cost is that it provides easy access for criminals.

As for Roy S. Perry and his desire to concrete over more of the little island of Gozo I would be interested in knowing if he personally has a vested interest in any such development.

The only answer and the least disruptive one given the short distance involved and the small size of the island is a restoration of the helicopter service. If the Government were serious about Gozo as an Eco island then surely they would be more than willing to subsidise such a service to protect the Gozo environment.

Adrian Cardona

"The problem with a bridge apart from the obvious one of cost is that it provides easy access for criminals"
What kind of reason is that??!! Are you worried that poor crime-free Gozo will be raped and pillaged by the nefarious Maltese?

apgrech

I had a second thought. To go to Gozo by ferry say from Lija, one would have to drive to Cirkewwa. If same person have to fly to Gozo, s/he has to drive to Luqa so, it's Cikku briku plus, one can't go by car if s/he uses the aircraft.

It is amazing what reasons people who say they arte in favour of an airstrip on this little island comes up with. As if the buses strike which occured in malta mid this month are going to take place on a monthly basis! As if the sea between Malta and Gozo is going to be so rough that the 20-minute ferry will stop working!

On the otherhand it seems that for a 20 minute ferry journey, some are ready to put more tarmac and cement the whole idea once and for all.