Franco J. Scicluna, Victoria
Logic of fixed-wing service for Gozo
Every day, at some time or other, one sees over Gozo skies some tiny plane, going about its business. It may belong to the flying school in Malta, or may be privately owned, or belong to the Armed Forces of Malta. One minute they are overhead, the next they are gone with hardly any whisper and with very few people on the ground having noticed.
I am saying this because of the fact that each time the hot subject of having an airstrip (not an airport) on the island comes up, this stirs up a hornets' nest. It is simply unfounded, to say the least, that an airstrip on Gozo would be detrimental to the environment. It is absolutely false to say that the island's peace and tranquillity would be jeopardised.
In this day and age it is inconceivable that a small island like Gozo is deprived of such a fixed-wing service. Let's face it, not all commuters, especially those of a certain age, are ready to face the hassle of a ferry crossing, especially in winter, plus the long road to Malta International Airport to catch a flight. Then there are those who come over for just a few days, a weekend maybe, and would want an assurance that by Monday they would be home or at their place of work. Most are company directors, people with means. Another point which will be addressed is the military aspect. Its use would be imperative to the Malta Armed Forces, more so now that additional aircraft are on its books.
The sceptics should see the logic behind this need. It pains me to see the various negative comments from individuals who have no idea what this entails, who have no idea what they are talking about. Other comments come from some foreign quarters, some who do not even reside here, who think more for themselves than the general aspect. This borders on sheer selfishness. They should stop sticking their snouts into what is not their business.
Not so long ago, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi met the Gozo constituted bodies and other interested individuals about various points of interest concerning the island. The subject of the airstrip was also brought up. This meeting, unlike the one held last May, which had a most turbulent ending, seemed to yield some fruit. The end result concerning the proposed airstrip was that the authorities are to hand over this idea to experts, and to the department of civil aviation for a report. May I point out, however, that for some time now, there have been expert presentations from competent people in this field, notably those by Roy Perry, who did considerable work without any personal interest on his part.
We now await the verdict about the matter from the department of civil aviation and others. Let's hope that the final outcome whether in favour, which would be beneficial, or against, will not appear on the eve of a general election. Meanwhile, Gozo sits and waits, holding its breath.
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Franco Farrugia
Aug 28th 2009, 23:53
What a stupid argument, if I ever heard one! What comparison is there between an airfield on the island of Malta - which is the mainland of the country, the nation!!!! - and an airfield on the island of Gozo, which, the last time I looked, was not a mainland, but a secondary island (I do not mean 'secondary' to be anything derogatory; far from it!) which is not an independent state and which does not need an airfield, quite unlike Malta. Sometimes, I bang my head against the wall with some of the 'arguments' that are expressed here, obviously stemmed by one's political allegiances which make one see only one direction and certainly not another. For crying out loud!!!!!
James A. Tyrrell
Aug 27th 2009, 22:32
@Roy Perry. Sorry that you find my remarks regarding flying toys irresponsible however I don't think that gives you the right to label me a lunatic. I fail to see why you should call someone names like this simply because they love the island of Gozo and want the best for the island.
A helicopter service partially funded by the EU is an answer to everyone's wishes and is available for the asking basically due to the good work of Dr Joseph Muscat. What do you have against such a service? Why has this offer not been followed up? Why is the only answer the further destruction of the island's environment?
I personally find it disgusting that someone who likes to think of himself as a Gozitan has no qualms about totally ruining the peaceful quality of the island. People don’t come to Gozo to listen to light aircraft buzzing around all day; they come for the peace and quiet. That’s its charm. That’s what you want to spoil forever.
Roy Perry
Aug 27th 2009, 12:31
People who fly, either professionally, to train or for pleasure are not fools. They are amongst the most sensible on the planet and have to undergo stringent check to maintain their status. Likewise, those who actively promote important aviation projects are technically competent and have much previous experience. Any airfield or landing place has to be licensed and constructed to meet specific needs. The runway will only be strong enough for specific aircraft types. We too are professionals. Those who claim that the facility will be enlarged and will bring larger aircraft seem unable to understand the facts presented. Those businessmen in Gozo, especially in the declining tourism industry, have always supported the idea. At the end of the day the exact size and location of the aerodrome is the responsibility of the Malta Department of Civil Aviation - and they are extremely professional. Lunatic comments such as 'Toys in the Sky' are completely irresponsible.
James A. Tyrrell
Aug 26th 2009, 00:17
@Pule' Carmel. Like most people supporting this idea you just don't get it do you? Like most things the short extension to the existing helistrip is just the opening gambit. This is just the toe in the water feeler to gauge how far they can go. Before you know it if people let it happen there will be calls for another airstrip at right angles to the first so that different wind directions could be catered for.
Then there would be calls for an extension to the strips so that larger aircraft could land. In the meantime every Tom Dick and Harry with a big flying toy would be taking off and landing at all times of the day. As for the ordinary Gozitan, what use would it be to them? Absolutely none. Dr Joseph Muscat managed to secure financial aid from the EU to operate the helicopter service from Malta to Gozo. Why has this not been followed up?
Pule' Carmel
Aug 24th 2009, 23:42
A small STOL aircraft and a good pilot would TOL in 100m airstrip.
Galea. L
Aug 24th 2009, 22:45
J Martinelli
The announcement of so many fairytale projects indicate that an election may not be very far off Martinelli.
James A. Tyrrell
Aug 24th 2009, 22:37
As I've said before I'm 100% against the idea of an airstrip on Gozo. Yes, as a tourist it would make things a lot easier for me if I could fly direct from the airport to Gozo but I love the little island too much to expose it to more environmental rape by money grapping developers.
If the matter is so important to those few idiots who keep writing about it then rather than bend our ears every month approach your Government and ask them to take a vote of all the residents of Gozo as to whether or not they want an airstrip. The only people allowed to vote should be Gozitans living on the island, as they are the ones who will have to put up with the continuous racket 24/7.
J Martinelli
Aug 24th 2009, 19:05
People who express an opinion, whether 'for' or 'against' are exercising their rights, however when people start telling others 'to go back where they came from' illustrate their shallowness or better, their lack of capacity to develop an argument. lgalea is one such example. There are always people who have legitimate reasons for concern but such concerns have to be genuine and based on fact not conjecture. The lengthening of the present heli-strip in Gozo represents no ecological disaster and if the same negative opinions had to be applied in Malta's case, there would probably not be a bird flying nor wild flowers growing. Can you imagine if MIA did not have a runway long enough to land a 767? A few days ago, Gozo complained about a few less holiday visitors over the feast of Santa Maria. Would one expect much opposition from the same Gozitans, if with a modest airport, a few hundred tourists would have arrived? But there again, I totally left out the political aspect of the issue and the probability that the aspiring government-in-waiting would have little left to do if the present administration succeeds in completing all the juicy plum projects in the pipeline!
lesley kreupl
Aug 24th 2009, 18:35
No, no, no and no again, Gozo does not need a fixed wing airstrip/port. If you are desperate to fly, find another island or charter a chopper! It is really not difficult to organise an itinerary to tie in with what is available. I do however agree that the ferry facilities in Cirkewwa are disgusting, and although it is not necessary to build a monstrosity like in Gozo, a decent waiting room would be appreciated.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 24th 2009, 16:10
@ IGalea: I strongly suggest that you calm down when you write. Please remember that according to Netiquette, you are shouting at people when you use CAPS, and not just attracting attention. You do that through good arguments.
Tony Stivala
Aug 24th 2009, 14:57
I agree with most, if not all who wrote below, But may I ask if MIA and Gozo Channel speak to each other at all? There are late flights that arrive at MIA and some passengers then have to travel to Gozo. How many times that these passengers try to reach Cirkewwa in time to catch the 0145 ferry only to see the ferry ramp going up? Then it is a wait till 0415 in the morning for the next ferry. Why could'nt the two companies get together and try to work a timetable that will suit everyone. I have seen tourists sitting in the Cirkewwa foyer for over two and half hours because they just missed the ferry. Yes the ferry is better and Gozo looks a lot better from the ferry when you are approaching it. I used the helicopter before and believe me there was nothing exciting about that trip. But please MTA plus MIA plus Gozo Channel let's sit around a table and discuss these problems together
lgalea
Aug 24th 2009, 11:11
Franco J. Scicluna
Mentioning Perry shows who really is behind this letter Scicluna.
Stop being a spokesperson for Perry Scicluna.
If he wants an airstrip he should go back to his own country and town and build one there if they let him do so which I strongly doubt and not allow him to ruing Gozo's environment.
lgalea
Aug 24th 2009, 11:08
Franco J. Scicluna
"Another point which will be addressed is the military aspect."
You put your finger straight on it Franco. Have you considered that the airstrip may later be extended to accomodate foreign military powers aircraft even NATO like the airport in Malta used to be? Who is really behind all this pressure for an airstrip in Gozo Franco? NO Franco, Gozo does NOT need an airstrip.
Galea. L
Aug 24th 2009, 11:06
Franco J. Scicluna
STOP TRYING TO RUIN THE GOZITAN ENVIRONMENT FRANCO.
If you think that an airstrip will solve your tourism problems then you are very naive Franco.
To solve your tourism problems you should look elsewhere.
No need to elaborate as others have been doing so for a very long time on The Times and elsewhere.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 24th 2009, 09:32
'In this day and age it is inconceivable that a small island like Gozo is deprived of such a fixed-wing service.' Not inconceivable at all. There are many, much larger islands than Gozo, that do not sport a fixed-wing service.
And yes, oh yes, such a service would ruin not only the Gozitan environment but the island as we know it. Part of the magic that lies within Gozo is the very fact that you need a boat to reach it.
To the Gozitans and to the people in authority there: do not kill the goose (ah! got that at last, thank you DCG!) that lays the golden egg.
Only those who have an interest in attracting more people to Gozo - they think! - are advocating such a disastrous decision. When these people invested on the island, they jolly well knew what they were doing. To try and ruin the island of Gozo because they have no further solutions to the problems of which they themselves were/are party, is no answer.
Life in Gozo as well as its attraction, is limited to there not being an airstrip for fixed wing aircract.
Continue improving Gozo Channel services, by all means.