Friday, 25th July 2008

Serious inter-island air service

Franco J. Scicluna, Victoria

The recent transport strike showed in no uncertain terms how important it is for an inter-island air service.

This service has been dead ever since the Spanish company wrapped up its operations in October of 2006.

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 strike.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, when answering a parliamentary question by Anton Refalo (MLP) about the air service between the islands, said there were a number of companies interested in operating a helicopter service and that talks had been held with each.

We have been hearing about this for a long time now, which makes this statement rather surprising.

I am sure that the minister is fully aware that a helicopter service is past its use-by date now. I wish to know what the GTA and the Gozo Business Chamber have to say about this statement and whether any progress has been registered.

A Gozo air link presentation made recently by Roy Perry at a leading Gozo hotel gave one and all present a detailed account of the enormous benefits that a serious air service would give to Gozo island.

For further information, those interested can go to http://gozoairlink.blogspot.com .

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 22, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Adrian Cardona (on 26/7/08)

"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 (on 26/7/08)

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.

James A. Tyrrell (on 26/7/08)

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.

Roy S. Perry (on 25/7/08)

I wish to thank Franco for keeping the subject in view. The problem here is that nobody listens ti 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 anmd 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 vistors, 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. Rhis, after all, is not Manhatten!

Liam Kelly (on 25/7/08)

@ N Palmer

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

Perhaps not.

L Galea (on 25/7/08)

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?

John Mizzi (on 25/7/08)

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 archaeoligal 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.

N Palmer (on 25/7/08)

@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 (on 25/7/08)

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.

Liam Kelly (on 25/7/08)

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.

isnt it obvious what Roy Perry will want given is well known agenda?

The truth is its unrealistic, uneccesary, irresponsible and down right damaging to have any form of air link to gozo, deep down we all know that.

Hovercrat is the answer.

John Portelli (on 25/7/08)

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.

apgrech (on 25/7/08)

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.

Serious inter-island air service

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