The controversy regarding the possibility or otherwise of an airstrip in Gozo was further fuelled this week with a mention by Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco and with strong approval by the president of the Gozo Business Chamber, Joe Grech.
Roy Perry, perhaps the foremost proponent of the airstrip, in comments to Mepa officials, said: “The land suggested in the attached plans has been in government hands since the end of the war. It was confirmed as being available for an airstrip in 1968/9 when the idea was first mooted and aircraft were purchased for this purpose. Some of the land is leased for the growing of cereal crops, some for horticulture and a tiny amount for wine growing. The remainder is derelict and the rear of the existing heliport is used for fly-tipping.
“The estimated e3 million cost is for the construction of an 800m x 25m tarmac on concrete runway and connecting taxiways. Costs not included would be for security fencing, fire access, runway and approach lighting.
We have suggested that no extra buildings except perhaps for air navigational purposes but a small area could be used to establish an ‘air-park’ for visiting private aircraft.”
Meanwhile, Rod Abela, secretary of the Aero Club, Malta, had this to say about the e3 million mentioned by him in a previous exchange with Mepa:
“The e3 million do not account for land (agricultural or otherwise) expropriation and compensation. However, it must be borne in mind that the proposed 24-metre wide runway strip will be flanked by two parallel grass strips each 1000 mts x 30mts, which can be easily sectioned into ‘parcels’ of land and leased out to farmers for cultivation purposes.
“This should more than adequately compensate any farmers displaced by the project – and giving them better drained and better laid plots of land where they can make use of modern machinery.
“Probably, if properly planned, each displaced farmer will get back the same acreage of land ‘lost’.”
The following is an extract from the Gozo and Comino Local Plan, which is now up for partial review.
6.6 Air Transport
The helicopter service provided by Malta Air Charter provides a useful connection between the mainland and Gozo, particularly for some passengers of international flights.
There has been some debate about the advantages, both operational and financial, of converting the service to a fixed-wing operation. However, there has been no comprehensive study that evaluates the potential benefits and compares them with the environmental consequences, most notably the implications of constructing an airstrip.
Until this study is undertaken, Mepa will continue to safeguard the land required for an airstrip and its associated facilities. Mepa would assist the relevant agencies in drafting the terms of reference for this study, which would necessitate studies particularly relating to the environmental impacts arising from the proposals being considered.
Apart from environmental and other planning considerations, in line with policy AVN 4, the case for a fixed-wing aircraft should only be established after the following issues are studied:
a) A justification for proposing a fixed wing aircraft solution in lieu of a rotary wing air link;
b) Alternatives to using a hard runway (eg the use of an amphibious aircraft, which for example would leave from Luqa and land at Marsalforn);
c) An economic feasibility study to determine envisaged long term revenue against capital and operational costs involved (including those costs related to the provision of additional infrastructure, land-purchase, ground staff, and machinery) and comparison of costs and revenue of the proposed alternatives against the existing helicopter service;
d) A social impact study on the nearby community and the implications of the project on employment; and
e) In the case of a hard runway alternative, the land-use requirements in terms of extensions to the existing runway, navigation aids, extensions to the terminal facilities etc.
These requirements would complement additional studies relating to the environmental impacts arising from the proposal.
A number of agencies and constituted bodies have expressed the view that fixed wing aircraft operations should be encouraged in order to attract a higher quality tourist to Gozo. At the present moment, there does not appear to be a coherent view indicating how future air transport in Gozo should be organised. However, it is clear that if the option to extend the current airstrip is resorted to, the extent of extension is limited by existing buildings in an area known as Ta’ Gorgun.
On the other hand, environmentalists and a significant number of Gozitans and Maltese have objected to an extension in view of the environmental implications in terms of visual impact, take-up of good agricultural land, increased noise footprint and safety related hazards. These groups also argue that the main reason why the helicopter service is proposed to be replaced by a fixed wing service is that it is financially not viable. However, there is no concrete evidence to demonstrate that a fixed wing service would be viable, especially at a stage when details of operation are as yet unknown.
Structure Plan policy AVN 4 indicates the requirements upon which a decision on the implications of a domestic air service between Malta and Gozo needs to be taken. As indicated before, there has been no comprehensive study that evaluates the potential benefits and compares them with the financial, social and environmental consequences.
In order not to compromise future developments related to the extension of the runway and pending the approval of the Structure Plan review, the Local Plan is retaining the area safeguarded for this purpose. Given that the area more than 30 metres on either side of the runway is not considered by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and the Malta International Airport (MIA) to interfere with flight operations, the area outside the 60 metre corridor as shown on MAP 14.13-E will be safeguarded for rural recreation.
GZ-TRAN-14: As indicated in Structure Plan policy AVN 4, the land at Xewkija indicated on MAP 14.13-E is being designated as a safeguarded area for a possible extension of air transport facilities. Any extension to the existing facilities will only be considered if the provisions of Structure Plan policy AVN 4 are fully implemented.
Submissions for development permission in this area must be developed in co-operation with the agencies responsible for the management of the air-link as well as the Malta Tourism Authority and the Gozo Tourism Association.
The areas immediately outside the safeguarded area shall be developed for informal rural recreation and shall be predominantly planted according to the approved Guidance on Planting.
The map (above) is an adaptation from Mepa’s local plan map. If you look at the map you will see that an area of land was assigned as being ‘for aviation use’. The liberty has been taken to place a runway in this area (shown in white). This would run alongside the existing helipad for the latter to be used for parking. Max length of this strip would be 600 metres and an access road (orange) would have to be built to the terminal.
The plan of those in favour of the airstrip (Green), moves the strip further away from Xewkija village, is longer and safer, better suited for prevailing winds and allows easy road access to the terminal.