Gozo airstrip - multi-purpose dock

I am in two minds about the building of an airstrip on Gozo. I agree that we need an air link, as the accessibility to Gozo leaves much to be desired. The helicopter service under the present contract will terminate at the end of the month.

Most likely a helicopter company chosen from the list that applied for the route, will offer the same services at a higher price. At a higher price for sure, since the present company lost hundreds of thousands of liri operating this service. And only a helicopter can operate with the present strip.

This is more costly to run compared to a fixed-wing plane, therefore if an airstrip is not built we shall have to stick to the helicopter service. I do not think the helicopter service is a long-term solution, and I disagree with an airport or an extended airstrip at its present location for a number of reasons.

Gozo is not that big and we cannot afford to destroy the countryside or agricultural land for an airport when there is a perfectly good alternative location. A runway can be built on the opposite side of the present Mgarr Harbour breakwater and it can extend towards Ix-Xatt l-Ahmar.

This airstrip can have a dual use. The present Gozo harbour has become small, maybe because Gozo Channel has hogged all the docking space. This airstrip can be used also as a cruise liner dock. You might say that is a nice dream, but thinking about it makes not only sense, but kills two birds with one stone: a multi-purpose dock, which can be used both as an airstrip as well as a dock. Land reclamation should be the solution; expropriating land without compensation and destroying the countryside is not the answer.

The infrastructure is nearly in place, if the terminal at the Gozo harbour is ever finished it would be put to good use. The roads are there, the commercial properties at the harbour are there. This project would be money put to good use and we would be also solving the construction waste problem! It would be a win-win situation all round.

Singapore has land reclamation projects every year, Gibraltar's only airport is situated on reclaimed land. This project would help Gozo in many ways. We should get our act together and put our tax money to good use!