Airstrip ‘essential’ for Gozo

James A. Tyrrell

Nov 7th 2010, 14:24

@John Azzopardi. If as you say Gozo needs some form of air link and that is debatable then a helicopter service should be reintroduced. The infrastructure is still in place and no further destruction of the surrounding land would be required. But then the helicopter service was not financially sustainable was it, which was why it was withdrawn. A fixed wing service would not be financially sustainable either as many studies have shown.

By the way if you feel that you have a second-class citizenship then that is a problem, which you need to sort out within your own head. If it's such a second-class place to live why do tourists flock there in droves and why do so many Maltese have holiday homes there?

joe falzon

Nov 6th 2010, 22:06

Can someone explain how building a 500 x 18 meter runway be of a less environmental impact than using the already existing heliport? Just re-establish the helicopter service! But. it seems that the Gozo Committe is targeting those who are rich (you have to be to own a plane)......Maybe they might entice them to buy some of the existing unsold flats and houses that Mr Tyrell mentioned.........It seems there are some non-Maltese blogging against this airstrip. So you got it straight from the horses' mouths, Gozo Committeee, tourists want a quiet, peaceful, laid back Gozo as advertised in many travel brochures!!!! what next, a rocket launch pad in st francis square!

John Azzopardi

Nov 6th 2010, 21:41

Gozo needs some form of airlink. Too bad if some people don't like it. Gozo was more advanced and had more life going back 20 years ago. There are people who are stopping Gozo from progressing as a modern place. Shame on you all for wishing that. Gozitans worked very hard for what they have and they deserve a first class island and not second hand citizenship. Those who don't like it, too bad. WE GOZITANS earned the right to have a modern Gozo. Those that don't like it, can take a hike.

James A. Tyrrell

Nov 6th 2010, 21:14

@Charles Sammut. People like me? What exactly do you know about me? For a start I don't have my very own corner of peace and quiet in the sun. I rent one once a year. I can't afford to buy because the property prices are far too high.

As for creating a demand if there was such a demand why are there so many empty properties on the island? You were saying about hypocritical???

M. Grech

Nov 6th 2010, 20:47

An 800m runway will have very little envornmental impact on the area as anyone who knows the [;ace knows trhat the area around the present heliport is surrounded by abandoned fields quite a few of them used as dumps. The Anti brigaed are simply that -- anti. And noise would hardly be a problem because we are not talking Heathrow air traffic for the Gozo airfield....... Quite a few cars with modified exhausts make far more noise and nuisance..

Carmel Camilleri

Nov 6th 2010, 18:38

The needs of us Gozitans are best known by the Gozitans themselves. An airstrip is in need to be build on our island.

Mario Borg

Nov 6th 2010, 18:31

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GOZO REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN AGREEING WITH THE PLAN OF BUILDING AN AIRSTRIP HERE IN GOZO.

Charles Sammut

Nov 6th 2010, 16:29

Mr Tyrell, I find your comment a teeny weeny bit hypocritical.

It was people like you, who created a demand for houses in Gozo, that have contributed most to the destruction of the island. But now that you have your very own corner of peace and quiet in the sun, you don't want anybody else around. Hallina gbin!

Do you have anything to say about the upcoming Gozo Grand Sprint to be held on the 20/21 November? It is going to cause traffic chaos, noise, pollution and generate business in this lean month. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101029/sport/vatanen-special-guest-for-gozo-grand-sprint-2010 Isn't it awful? But I like it and I'll be taking part.

D.Dalli

Nov 6th 2010, 15:16

Is it essential like the buoy off Xlendi was, but then never used?

Dear Goverment - on this one stand firm with a big NO NO.

James A. Tyrrell

Nov 6th 2010, 14:48

I would love to know where they heard this phrase 'double insularity' but it seems to be all the rage now. A bit like the kids describing things as 'sick'! Anyway can I just point out to the Gozo Regional Committee that Gozo's 'double insularity' is it's main attraction. This is why people come to Gozo, for the peace and quiet they find there. Lets face it either you love Gozo from a tourist point of view as I do or you don't give it a second thought. If you destroy the one thing that Gozo has going for it then people will go elsewhere. I mean Gozo doesn't exactly have the best beaches in the Mediterranean and those it does have developers are trying to destroy. The combination of new unnecessary developments and ugly empty shells joined by pathetic excuses for roads make the island a nightmare. But it does have its double insularity so please leave it as it is.

If you decide to write on the subject again please tell everyone how an airstrip is going to stop the 'Gozo brain drain'.

Pawlu Scicluna

Nov 6th 2010, 13:28

STOP trying to ruin our environment. We don't need an airstrip.

Peter Green

Nov 6th 2010, 12:16

Gozo is more valuable as a quiet destination than becoming a noisy little rock! The Gozitans will lose their tourism advantage over Malta.