General Aviation operators are calling on the government to declare its position on proposals for the building of an airstrip for small piston engined aircraft in Gozo. A retired Royal Air Force officer and private consultant on general aviation has also, on his initiative, been giving presentations to the Gozo Business Chamber and other bodies on the benefits of Gozo having an airstrip, and how this could be brought about.

Roy Perry said the recent explosion in fuel prices should have further hammered home the fact that any air link with Gozo has to use small fixed wing aircraft, rather than helicopters, which were far more expensive to run. They also make more noise. He first formulated a plan to supplement the helicopter service in 1997 so that Gozo could have direct access to Sicily and Tunisia in addition to a fast and efficient link to Malta International Airport.

“I have studied the idea for many years and believe that the use of small commuter aircraft with no more than 19 passengers and operating at the same frequency as the 1996 helicopters will benefit all who visit and live in Gozo,” he told timesofmalta.com.

Victor Mercieca, a general aviation pilot, said that what was being proposed was the building of a 1,000 metre runway facing North West near the existing helipad and parallel to the road leading to the new sewage treatment plant (picture). The helipad would become an apron and the existing terminal building would be retained.

He did not feel the helipad itself should be extended, for various reasons including the proximity of buildings in Ghajnsielem

“It is a pity that no government has ever taken general aviation seriously. It is a huge industry in Europe and one which Malta and Gozo can benefit from. Just look at what Lampedusa have done. This can become a new gateway for Gozo. There are obvious tourism benefits. And a scheduled air service between Malta and Gozo will cost a third of the operating costs of a helicopter and provide a more flexibility, reliable and efficient service.”

Mr Mercieca said he knew of people who had shown an interest in investing in such an airstrip if a long lease agreement could be reached with the government, possibly a public-private partnership.

Roberto Benetti, another pilot, said Gozo was a tourist destination that cried out for an air strip like small islands such as Lampedusa, Pantelleria, Marina di Campo. “We are not talking jumbo jets here, but small aircraft. Frankly I cannot understand what the controversy is all about. An airstrip will lead to quality tourism and general aviation growth. The market is there, I know from personal experience. Gozo can be put in the itinerary of commuter companies which operate to various small islands.”

He suggested the government convene a committee of local pilots and other interested people to push the project forward.

Leading Gozitan businessman John Magro said he backed all forms of accessibility to Gozo. “I would like Gozo to be better linked to the rest of the world, not just Malta. Of course, we need to protect the environment, but we are not talking of some Boeing here. Compromises are found all over the world, and I am sure we can in Gozo as well,” he said.

The Gozo Business Chamber last year also called for existing facilities to be extended so that small fixed-wing aircraft could operate to Gozo.

A government spokesman when questioned did not rule anything out but was non-committal.

“The option for a new air link operation between Malta and Gozo remains open and given the right sustainable business case the government will not exclude anything.

“Any decision will be taken in view of the government's strong commitment to the environment and the economic growth of Gozo that relies on sustainable tourism for its prosperity, which is at the heart of the 'ecological island' concept."

Picture: An impression of how the proposed airstrip would look like. The existing helipad is on its left.