The Gozo airstrip

On a recent visit to Gozo, the Prime Minister said he needed to listen carefully to the views of the Gozitans, because of a past unfavourable position by some, and he needed to, once again, feel the pulse of these before decisions are taken for an extension to the present airstrip.

This happened after a very passionate plea was made by the business community of the island, The Gozo Tourism Association, and the Gozo Business Chamber, which, undoubtedly, know the importance of the matter.

Who are these Gozitans who the Prime Minister wants to listen to? Are these the ones who always put spokes in the wheels when it comes to an alternative connection? Is the Prime Minister trying to find some loophole to put the matter on the shelf, as with other past promised projects that never saw the light of day? Will such a decision take a decade to materialise, like the golf course saga, and appease the no-go lobby?

For years, Gozo's only link to the mother island was by sea. An alternative is a must, in this day and age. There are hundreds such islands, worldwide, and in the Mediterranean it is no exception, that boast such facilities.

While the views of those against should be respected these have to have very valid reasons to sustain their position. Let's face it, an extended airstrip also serves the Armed Forces of Malta. No fixed wing aircraft of the AFM is able to land on Gozo in AD 2004.