Gozo chamber makes case for airstrip
The Gozo Business Chamber yesterday insisted that the debate over the development of an airstrip on the sister island should focus on when it would be built not if.
The long-standing issue was stoked again last week by the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Mario de Marco, who argued that, while an airstrip might make the island more accessible, it could also take away the magical attraction it held for tourists. "One has to ask: Is it feasible? Will it promote sustainable development?" he said.
Debate about the airstrip has been going on for years. The tourism industry on the island is keen to have the landing strip, which would complement the seaplane service but environmentalists oppose the idea arguing it would entail expanding the former helicopter landing strip into the countryside.
The president of the Gozo Business Chamber, Michael Galea yesterday insisted the project was long overdue. "Our island needs a vital air link to offer direct means of communication with Malta International Airport. This will translate Gozo's dream, of being sold as a distinct destination, into a reality. Besides other benefits, a direct link will boost foreign investment in Gozo."
Dr Galea said that over 90 companies of 100 polled said they would not invest in the island and mentioned as a main reason the fact that there was no air link. This meant "more travel times and costs" and that "clients coming from abroad would be reluctant to travel to Gozo for a meeting".
The survey results were highlighted recently during a conference on European and Malta Attractiveness Surveys 2009, organised by Ernst & Young.
Gozo deserved a better share of business opportunities, the GBC said. An airstrip would contribute to the growth of tourism and economic prosperity. However, it was not the only project Gozitans were longing for, it added.
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Joseph V. Grech
Feb 20th 2010, 14:30
It cannot be left to the Gozo Business Chamber (how many are these anyway?) to decide if a fixed wing airstrip in Gozo is really required.
That the G.B.C. should advocate an air link is to be expected. But what do they mean by “This will translate Gozo’s dream of being sold as a distinct destination into a reality”? Do they want tourists to land in Gozo for a holiday? Quite amusing!
If an air service between Malta and Gozo is implemented the members of the G.B.C. will probably be entiltled to use it for free or at a reduced rate as presumably happens today with the sea link. This may partly explain their enthusiasm.
Would Gozitans be able to use the service?
The GBC should not simply pin Gozo's economic troubles on the lack of an air link - there are so many other issues involved.
Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Mario de Marco is perfectly right when he argues that, ''while an airstrip might make the island more accessible, it could also take away the magical attraction it held for tourists'' and to query whether the idea is feasible and sustainable. It certainly isn't - it's a white elephant.
lgalea
Feb 20th 2010, 13:14
John Azzopardi An air link like the one suggested is the most stupid thing that was ever suggested. If you think that tourists will flock to Gozo because you have an airstrip then you had better think again. This is besides the destruction of the archeological and cultural heritage that will be ruined by an extension of the runway and that fact that someone had already spilled the beans when he wrote that it could/should be used by military pilots for training, which will later be followed by use as a military airport for operations. Do the Gozitans waht this danger apart from the normal noise and pollution and be a military target for any retaliation?
"This will translate Gozo's dream, of being sold as a distinct destination, into a reality" "Dr Galea said that over 90 companies of 100..." Do you really think that you can pull our legs on this one? Meet them in Malta or are you then going to demand an even bigger airstrip so that direct flights could land in Gozo??
Vince DeBono
Feb 20th 2010, 12:46
90 outof 00 polled.... A Gozo firm has a meeting with someone coming from abroad. Surely the visitor should not waste 3 hours plus, just to get to Gozo. Simple dear Gozitan investor, meet him half-way and wait for him in Malta. I wonder who these 90 firms are anyway.... If the occasional wasted time for meetings puts them off, they are in a tight economic situation. If this hurts their profit margin so much, what money will theyleave in Gozo?
Also the taxi/ferry is seen as an extra expense. Do they want an airlink that costs less?
I see few people benefitting from this white elephant. 1 The builders. 2 the myriad employees doing nothing in between sparse flights and anyone who might be rewarded by a percentage cut for services rendered.
I see only one reason for this debate to be stirred up. Chasing chimeras instead of reality
John Azzopardi
Feb 20th 2010, 12:44
Yes, Gozo does deserve a share of the "Business" in order to move in tandem with Malta proper. Through the years, the gozitans have suffered a great deal. Thousands of Gozitans had to leave their homeland in the 50's 60's and 70's and still do today. In addition, most gozitans have to work in Malta if they want a decent job- whether government or not. Gozo needs to be brought up to par with Malta. IT's also up to the Gozitan community to ensure that we get our due and start looking for our interest. This should also be backed by our gozitan MPs. ANd I mean by both NP and LP. To move forward, we need an airlink. A viable airlink. funds are there for Gozo to move forward on this. And those funds we should tap to make Gozo a viable island with all key infrastruction in place for it's development to support it's citizens.
Franco Farrugia
Feb 20th 2010, 12:01
That's right. We have ruined Malta - now it's Gozo's turn to be ruined. Gozo will never be the same as it was before. Gozo's businessmen think that they will be sharing part of the 'pie' that their Maltese counterparts are having, little realising that in having an airstrip in Gozo, most, if not all, the magic of this beautiful island will be lost forever.