The Planning Authority has given the go ahead for the “transformation” of the Gozo heliport, which it said is “aimed at enhancing airside operations, improving accessibility, and aligning with contemporary aviation standards.”

The project was approved in spite of strong opposition from various entities, including among others, the Labour led Xewkija Local Council.

Following the Planning Board’s approval of the development application, it said, “crucial upgrades to the existing site in Xewkija can be carried out, ensuring that the airfield meets the latest International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations.”

According to the Authority, “this project will not only modernise the heliport’s physical infrastructure – such as the provision of a safety area and runway resurfacing – but will also focus on operational improvements, including planning enhancements, updated procedures, and new equipment and training programmes.”

It said that the approved works will include the resurfacing of the existing runway and its extension by a further 271 metres. A concrete-surfaced apron and three grass-reinforced aprons will be constructed while perimetral retaining walls will be assembled. The security fence will be shifted, together with additional car parking spaces, landscaping and supporting facilities at basement level. “No new buildings will be constructed.”

The Authority said in a statement that works on the site, which is located on the outskirts of the town in Xewkija, will partly be carried out within the secured existing perimeter fencing. Significant parts of the site outside the secured fencing are characterised by dumped inert material.”

Writing on Facebook, Gozo and Planning Minister Clint Camilleri, welcomed the approval, calling it an “historic day for Gozo.”

He said that the next step will be to publish the call for tenders in order to start work on the extension of the existing runway and the surrounding facilities “in order to transform a site which is in a dilapidated state into one that improves life of the Gozo people.”

“In the coming months we will be seeing not only the air connectivity between Gozo and Malta, but also the creation of new economic niches in the aviation sector,” said Camilleri.

The original air strip in the vicinity of the site was built by American engineers in 1943. The wartime airfield was used temporarily during the invasion of Sicily.

In 1973 the Armed Forces laid a 22- metre by 22-metre concrete helipad in the current location. In 1996 this pad was extended to 178-metres and new facilities were built by the Maltese Government to provide a safer environment for commercial helicopter air transport, mainly comprising of scheduled helicopter flights between Malta International Airport and Xewkija Heliport.

The Planning Authority noted that “currently, no scheduled flights take place from the heliport, except for emergency purposes only.”

File photo

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