14 comments so far.Report to be drawn up on the viability of a Gozo airstrip
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Answering a Parliamentary question put by Gozo Labour MP Anton Refalo earlier today, the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, has announced that the Gozo regional committee within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development has unanimously decided to draw up a report on the viability of building an airstrip in Gozo.
Although there is a long-running, sometimes heated debate, about the proposed airstrip, proponents of it say that the lack of a fast and reliable airlink has brought problems to the tourist industry in Gozo. They say that hotels have closed and villa and farmhouse owners suffered a downturn in demand from discerning visitors who have no wish to consume more time travelling from the airport to their holiday home than it takes to reach Malta from their domicile. They also point out that rotary-wing operating costs have soared by 500% and that local commerce is also suffering badly.
They propose short-field aircraft, which are still serving offshore communities world-wide, pointing out that their operating costs are very low and would allow a reasonable, un-subsidised return fare. They say all that is needed is a place to land.
A group of local businessmen have put forward a plan for a short strip which would take passenger aircraft with a capacity of up to 19 to operate an Air Taxi service. They say that no extra buildings will be needed as the existing terminal is suitable.
A trial has been proposed for a temporary runway within the confines of the existing site.
The group say that this idea is supported by The Ministry for Gozo and Business and Tourist organisations on the island.
It has become quite obvious especially since the EU elections that Lawrence Gonzi doesn’t give a damn about Gozo, its history, its environment or its people. The very idea that the ‘viability of building an airstrip in Gozo’ is being looked at proves this fact.
According to the supporters of an airlink the lack of an airstrip has brought problems to the tourist industry. What problems? How will an airstrip solve these problems? They never tell us the answers to these simple questions. Hotels have closed and villa and farmhouse may have suffered a downturn but it sure as hell isn’t due to the lack of an airstrip and to say it does is just stupid.
Isn’t it interesting to note that the people supporting this idea are a ‘group of local business men’? What business would they be in I wonder, construction? How many of them have private planes, which they want to fly in an out of Gozo? How many ordinary Gozitans would be able to make use of an airlink on a regular basis?
The article states that Gozo Tourist authorities, Gozo business organisations and the Gozo Ministry support this. Can I just say that if the Gozo Tourist Authority spent more time supporting the history, environment and heritage of the island perhaps the downturn they talk about wouldn’t have happened. Who knows, perhaps they could be supported in this regard by the Gozo Ministry. That of course would require a complete U-turn on their part, as they appear to do very little in support of the island.
As I’ve said before I wish these people who support the idea of an airstrip would stop using tourists like myself as an excuse for their continuing destruction of the island. If things continue the way they are at the moment I along with a lot of other tourists will probably be looking for somewhere else to holiday. I just wish these people could be made to understand that before they destroy the island for good.
Mr Tyrell,
You don’t live here. You don’t know what it’s like in the winter when the ferry gets cancelled and you have a flight to catch. Even if the ferry is working it is extremely inconvenient and expensive, if you have an early morning flight, to have to travel the previous day and stay in a hotel.
Islands around the world, much smaller and poorer than Gozo, have air links. The authorities here are perfectly capable of keeping us in the dark ages without any help from you.
Winter in Gozo is diabolical, more I just cannot say. Some sort of a bridge connection is needed, just like in the US. Max. Willis (US Citizen)
Max, Bridge? Brilliant idea! Let’s destroy even more natural beauty and provide a facility for the financial exploitation of the local community through excessive and unjustifiable tolls! Take a look at the Isle of Skye in Scotland to see what happened there.
In the winter, Maltese hotel rates are very cheap and weather forecasts are very reliable. I would suggest that a little bit of planning is all that is needed to avoid missing that important, pre-booked flight. The cheap hotel and a taxi will certainly be cheaper than any proposed fixed wing air fare.
Looking forward to stepping ashore in Gozo on Monday again.
I am neither Gozitan nor a foreigner, just a resident like the people above. But please leave it for the Gozitans to decide. Too many of us “know it alls” seem to know what is best for Gozo.
In my opinion Giovanna ought to put it to the Gozitans themselves and they will give her their answers.
I was going to suggest that Gozonews held a poll, but I fear the truth will not come out unless there is an official referendum.
@Pat Holtom. No Pat you are right I don’t live on Gozo, however I wish I did. I’m sorry that you think you are living in the dark ages, however you should know that those of us living in the big world outside envy you.
As I understand it the weather needs to be pretty bad before the ferry is cancelled. If it was that bad Pat would you feel happy about getting on a small aircraft? Believe me you would need to drug me to get me on a plane in weather that bad! You say the ferry is expensive, are you expecting a flight to be free?
I agree with what Tony Stivala says in that the matter should be settled by an official referendum held amongst the Gozitan people. They after all are the people who will have to put up with the constant drone of light aircraft taking off and landing all day. It won’t be a problem for tourists since you won’t have as many. They will go somewhere else which is as peaceful as Gozo used to be before the planes arrived!
Gozo needs an airstrip. Tyrrel lives in Ireland. We Gozitans live in Gozo and we need an airlink access to Malta from Gozo.
This is our right as taxpaying citizens.
@John Azzopardi. Yes John, I do indeed live in Ireland and I don’t have an airstrip just down the road, thank God. When I come to Gozo, which is every year John I have to drive for 2 hours to reach an airport to fly to Malta. So don’t try and give the impression that because I live in Ireland I have easy access to an airport.
You and others keep stating that Gozo needs an airstrip, why? Tell us John why Gozo needs an airstrip? Tell us who is going to use this airstrip apart from the rich environmental raping developers who support the idea? How often will you be using it John? How much will the fare be John in order to cover the millions it will cost to build? Try going on holiday somewhere John and staying in a resort close to an airport. Suffer a couple of weeks of hell and then imagine what it would be like 24/7 365 days a year!
I believe that what’s really needed is a bridge. To me the money spent to build the so called terminals was a total waste of taxpayers money.
Gozo doesn’t need any airstrips. People come to Gozo because of
the way it is. With all this development going on nobody will want to visit our island.
Yes, Gozo does need an airstrip and Gozo will get an airstrip regardless of what Mr. Tyrell says.
Gozo is a modern island full of people who do not want their island to fall behind. I like other Gozitans want the option to travel via an airlink. It’s convenient and a must in this day and age.
As a Maltese citizen, MR. Tyrrell, it’s my right to favor this project and the need to have some form of airlink. I have taken the helicopter time and time again along with many tourists who always favoured it’s convenience.
I think I have said enough. Gozo is not a dictatorial place, thus it’s my right to support such a project. If you don’t like it, too bad.
@John Azzopardi. Well there we have it folks, God has spoken and no one else gets a say in what happens. Why can’t you just answer the questions I have put to you?
You keep stating that Gozo needs an airstrip, why? Tell us John why Gozo needs an airstrip? Tell us who is going to use this airstrip apart from the rich environmental raping developers who support the idea? How often will you be using it John? How much will the fare be John in order to cover the millions it will cost to build? Given the inevitable high cost compared to the ferry how many ordinary Gozitans will be able to afford it?
Is this airstrip just for the well off John? Will everyone else on the island have to suffer the noise every day just so a few well off folks can get to Malta airport faster? If you indeed believe that Gozo is full of people wanting an airstrip then can I suggest that you contact your Government and ask for a referendum so that we can all see the huge numbers you are talking about.
By the way John I notice that you are now divided in your opinion. You begin by saying that Gozo needs and will get an airstrip. Then you end up by stating the need to have some form of air link. Quite a difference there John. I too have used the helicopter on numerous occasions and I too always favoured its convenience. A return of a subsidised helicopter service would be the perfect answer for Gozo, would not entail any further destruction of the island and would probably have the support of enough people to get it up and running.
At a number of meetings over the past two years members of the Gozo Business Chamber and other commercial companies have stated that they need a fast airlink to:
Attend meetings abroad
Visit sick relatives abroad
Bring in delegates from abroad
Export fragile and perishable and high value goods.
The airstrip will not cost more than a short length of road, will NOT require extra buildings and will probably enable an air service with a return fare of less than 50 euros. Cheaper than a taxi/ferry/taxi.
@ Roy Perry
Do you know that Dr Joseph Muscat managed to get EU funding to subsidize the helicopter?
This is a simple question that you seem to forget to give us an answer to.
All you talk is about how to destroy precious land which is well known for growing potatoes.
Can you please give us some ideas on how to save Gozo, not how to destroy it.
Swimmer I think you’re wasting your time here to be honest. Roy and John have decided that Gozo is going to have an airstrip and that’s that. And as Roy has just admitted all this is to please a few members of the Gozo Business Chamber who may have to jump on a plane if granny gets sick.
As far as the rest of the Gozitan people are concerned their attitude seems to be to hell with you. And what about the tourist trade? Well to hell with that as well. Who in their right mind would want to spend two weeks on an island 9 miles by 4 with planes taking off and landing all day.
Roy says that the airstrip will not cost more than a short length of road. I could well believe that if it is built to the same standard as the rest of the roads on Gozo. Lets hope they have planes lined up which can handle potholes!