The issue over whether Gozo should have an airstrip for fixed-wing aircraft was recently revived by the government, this time by Mario de Marco who gave examples of the delicate balance which Malta needs to strike between development and environmental protection.

Dr de Marco stated the obvious when he said that there is never a win-win situation in cases such as this, and that we have to tread a delicate line. He also emphasised that sustainable development, along with jobs and education, were the government's main priorities. As to whether this is all true opinions differ but there is no denying that tourism involves development, which has to be sustainable and such that it does not ruin the characteristics that tourists came to Malta to enjoy.

There had been several public requests for the building of an airstrip without asking how feasible that would be and whether the ugly installation of an airstrip would promote sustainable development. Even a tunnel or a bridge would alter the magic of Gozo; it would make it mislay something which attracted tourists. An aerial service with fixed wings with its attendant infrastructural requirements would seriously harm the tranquillity and the general environment of that area.

I share Dr de Marco's notion, in that we should start promoting our traditional villages as an example of Maltese character. I feel that it would be foolhardy if that idea were to be ignored.

Gozo is one niche in a destination and its strength lies in being a small island. What we are failing to realise is that when we make plans to change the island's DNA to attract numbers the whole concept becomes an unsustainable hybrid. The Japanese and the American tourists do not cross the world to visit the Vatican, very few do, but they desire Italy because of the added value which is included by the Vatican City. Likewise is the appeal which Gozo offers. You can't have one without the other.

During my tenure of office as Manager Special Projects at Air Malta and later as General Manager, Malta Air Charter, we made more than one survey and feasibility studies and they always clearly revealed that an aerial operation to Gozo can't be financially viable unless the number of tourists to Gozo multiplies to a phenomenal figure, and that was not seen possible.

This applies to a helicopter operation as well as to fixed wings.

I was also consulted by a number of international operators that had shown an interest in the service and in the end they all concluded that, investment wise, an air-link between the two islands would be a financial disaster if not suicide.

Different government ministries are well aware of the unsustainability of this service, yet for some obscure reason they keep their mouth shut.

My two penny's worth of advice, based on 40 years experience in aviation, marketing, tourism and airline business, had always been and still is to forget this silly notion and concentrate on a good shuttle service between MIA and Ċirkewwa and to allow the beauty of Gozo to remain unmarred.