Monday, 26th January 2009Gozo airstrip still seems pie in the sky
Those who for years have been making proposals to have a reliable air link to Gozo fear nothing concrete will ever be done, even though the government said recently it was open to "economically feasible" suggestions.
The island has been without a land-based air connection since the helicopter service was stopped in 2005. It is only served by a seaplane from Grand Harbour, a service which does not run in winter.
Some people have been pushing for the infrastructure at the inactive Gozo helipad, in Xewkija, to be put back to use by building a runway as an extension.
"No one is taking it seriously," Roy Perry, who submitted the proposal in 1997, said in a disappointed voice. He added that he did not know of anyone who objected to the project, as long as it did not have adverse environmental consequences, something he said his plans guarantee.
He is just one of the enthusiasts who have come up with creative solutions to the problem of having no direct air link between Luqa airport and Gozo in the absence of the old helicopter connection.
When the service was cancelled, a seaplane operation was set up from the Grand Harbour. But this cannot function when it is dark or the sea is rough and, consequently, stops flying during the winter months. Also, since it is based at the Grand Harbour, it does not enable quick transfers from the airport to Gozo.
Mr Perry argued that in the light of the difficult year ahead for tourism, this was one project that should be concluded as soon as possible in order to create an efficient, reliable and cost-effective service. He estimates the flight would cost about €75 return and it would take 15 minutes to get from Malta to Gozo.
The secretary of the Gozo Tourism Association, Joe Muscat, has in the past argued that the seaplane is no substitute for a proper air link between the airport and Gozo. A runway was needed to attract tourism, he insisted. The operation of a fixed-wing aircraft would require a small airstrip but, in view of environmental concerns, the association has proposed that the secondary road behind the heliport, linking Għajnsielem to Xewkija, could be developed for this purpose.
The road would only be closed to traffic while aircraft were operating.
Pilot and aviation investor Victor Mercieca has come up with yet another proposal: for the runway to be built on reclaimed land at the Mġarr Harbour. However, this would be more costly and time-consuming because it would involve the building of an artificial extension to the breakwater.
The different proposals have been discussed by the authorities a number of times and, although no final decisions have been taken, all parties involved seem to agree that an air link is desirable.
The Gozo Business Chamber is all in favour of the airstrip but its president, Joe Grech, said he had received no updates about the proposals submitted.
When contacted, the Gozo Ministry said it too wanted a decision to be taken and that it was in favour of a "sustainable and reliable air service" but did not comment about the proposals available.
Comments
It appears from your comments that you are all expats retired in Gozo? & have no need to commute almost daily to work like most people do from both sides & who have to wake up in the early hours to meet the current slow surface schedule! Most level headed people realize that you are the usual armchairs critics who basically enjoy installing negative perceptions against a vital GA Airstrip(Incidently 50% of the infrastructure is in place) much needed for sustainable & consistant commerce,tourism paralleling with Malta & will also put Gozo as a direct niche GA destination from now Schengen Europe....It is true that GA in Malta is flourishing, thanks to many local dediciated professional indivisuals, aero clubs, pilots associations, flight schools with their great personal efforts & expense will certainly operate in & out of Gozo, at the great benefit of the general public as an alternative choice to commute in less time consuming, in a safe & cost effective manner!
Also I wish people would stop using tourists like myself as an excuse for building an airstrip. Tourists like myself enjoy the peace and quiet on Gozo and the last thing we want more noise pollution and an ugly concrete scar on the face of the island.
The only people who will benefit from an airstrip on Gozo are the developers and the rich set who want to be able to fly their little planes in and out of Gozo whenever they like.
Hands off Gozo. You people have done enough harm to the island. If you want an airlink then bring back the helicopter link.
As can be imagined an environmental Impact assessment would indeed be carried out, however, according to feasibility studies carried out by AOPA, the impact would be minimal as we had designed the strip to replace the existing dirt road just South of the existing Heli-pad. Our presentation was well received by th GTA and representatives from Gozo's business community and we hope to have the opportunity to present this to the honorable minister for Gozo in due course. AOPA (Malta) also supports initiatives being taken by Messrs. V. Mercieca and R. Perry.
Ivan X. Gatt
President (AOPA) Malta
I honestly believe that Gozo Tourism Association lost the plot. One wonders why Gozo Ministry supports GTA with resources when GTA has lost its touch with true tourism in Gozo.
If the road linking Ghajnsielem to Xewkija can be temporarily closed for operating aircraft, I think that will be a good solution.
However any form of development on countryside is certainly terrible and certainly isn't the right way to help tourism.
To attract tourists one does not have to build runways. there are many islads , worldwide which are reached by ferries.
So just leave it alone, Look at Malta, it hase become a contrete jungle.
Malta is a concrete jungle!!Hope you did not choose or you dont choose Malta to live when you retire!!