Gudja residents concerned over plans to develop the airport car park into office and retail buildings will be listened to, the airport chief has promised.

Markus Klaushofer, CEO of Malta International Airport, yesterday said that the master plan submitted to the planning authority was still subject to discussion.

The master plan for the sprawling area makes provisions for seven-storey office blocks, a massive supermarket and other commercial development within the airport grounds.

An environmental impact study noted that one of the negative aspects of the development was its impact on long-distance open views of the area. It would alter the Gudja and Għaxaq landscape.

People living in the surroundings have their own interests and we take this very, very seriously

A traffic impact study also found that major roads leading to the airport would have to be widened and junctions improved.

Mr Klaushofer said resident concerns will be addressed. “It is important for the island to have a proper airport but… it is clear that people living in the surroundings have their own interests and we take this very, very seriously.”

He explained that MIA was in constant contact with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to determine the best way to develop the airport grounds.

“Nothing has been decided… it is a floating process during which we are evaluating all the pros, the cons, the changes and the concerns of our neighbours in Gudja,” Mr Klaushofer said.

But he was non-committal on a timeframe for the project, insisting that the sooner it happened the better it was for the company.

Mr Klaushofer said MIA was well aware that it would take time to get to the development stage and discussions would have to take place.

“There is no immediate pressure on it but whatever we do, we do not want the project to drag on for years and years,” he said.

Mr Klaushofer was speaking to Times of Malta after giving the Prime Minister a tour of the newly refurbished ministerial lounge that will now serve as a VIP terminal. The company invested almost €500,000 to transform the building into a luxurious terminal from where travellers willing to pay for the service could also check in for their flights. Luggage scanning equipment was also installed.

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