MCESD's Gozo committee sees airstrip as 'essential'

The Gozo Regional Committee within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development has rekindled the argument for having an airstrip in Gozo, saying in a statement today that air communication was 'essential' to reduce Gozo's double insularity and to open Gozo's markets to new opportunities.

In a briefing note sent to the MCESD, the Gozo committee said that it was strongly in favour of developing an airstrip because this would also create job opportunities for Gozitans and help combat 'social erosion' due to emigration..

The committee observed that the development of an airstrip on Gozo has been discussed at length for the past two decades by various policy makers and other interested parties but no real action had ever been taken.

Gozo, the committee said, was lacking in connectivity and this was hindering the island’s competitiveness.

The committee noted that in article on timesofmalta.com on Wednesday, May 5, reference was made to a 2009 report prepared by the Department of Civil Aviation and presented to the government stating that ‘for safe operations, a non-instrument runway strip of 500m, 18m wide, would be the best option for Gozo. The department further stated that the obvious advantage of fixed wing aircraft over helicopters was the considerable cost reductions in the initial procurement of equipment, operations, maintenance, fuel and crew.

It continued that the runway should, ideally, be paved since a grass runway was difficult to maintain, especially in summer, and take-off run would be increased by as much as 10%. It concluded that an airstrip of 500m could be used for aircraft such as the 19-passenger Viking Twin Otter, the nine passenger Islander and the seven-passenger Pilatus PC-6, with safety margins.

The committee in its statement today, submitted a list of the effects of an airstrip on Gozo's economy. It said it would provide a new gateway for Gozo, provide direct benefits for all local industries, better possibilities for marketing Gozo as an independent destination, a direct link to Malta International Airport and easier luggage check-in.

It pointed out that fixed wing aircraft were less expensive than a helicopter service and air and noise pollution would be kept at a minimum when compared to a helicopter service. It said that heavy machinery and vehicles caused more pollution than the landing of a 19-seater plane.

The Gozo Regional Committee was set up to bring together regional constituted bodies, the Ministry for Gozo, local government and civil and non-governmental organizations operating from Gozo. The members forming the Committee are the Gozo Business Chamber, the Gozo Tourism Association, the General Workers’ Union, Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin, Malta Union of Bank Employees, GRTU: Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, Gozo College of Parish Priests, Gozo NGOs Association, Gozo University Group, Gozo Local Councils and the Ministry for Gozo.

It said it would welcome comments on the airstrip on grc@mcesd.org.mt