The comprehensive overview of the Gozo air services presented by Matthias A. Merzhauser (TMIS, 20 December), and their respective developments during the past year is commendable in its professionalism and should give a clear understanding among the Malta/Gozo population as to what is practically possible and required.

For emergency cases there will always be the trauma-heli and/or military equipment deployable – no serious concern there.

As far as tourist, commercial and general domestic air traffic is concerned, the fixed wing, land-based aircraft is the obvious solution, as in all other island states around the world, especially considering the size of the Gozo population and the tourist potential – in other words a ‘no-brainer’, as the saying goes.

As in most cases, to invite competent, competitive operators to tender for the concession to provide the required air service, including a direct service between Gudja airport and Gozo, but probably also between Gozo and Catania, the government will have to provide adequate suitable landing and take-off facilities.

It is interesting to note that Mr Merzhauser referred to the Gozo racecourse in the last paragraph of his article.

Many previous articles on the subject have criticised the proposal to extend the already existing facilities, which were used during WWII by US Air Force bombers during the Sicily campaign.

I have previously offered a suggestion to mitigate the objections against the extension of the current facilities and proposing to use the racecourse instead.

The racecourse is hardly ever used, i.e. it is a dead area, easy to safeguard and control.

The total length of the oval course would be sufficient to accommodate a runway diagonally across it, with a NW-SE bearing, in accordance with the prevailing wind direction.

The functions of the current air traffic control tower and base facilities could be continued, due to their proximity to the racecourse.

The few occasions when an actual horse race would interfere with the flight schedule of the day, would present a nice opportunity for one or two intelligent people to reschedule movements to avoid conflict!

Kees de Jong

SLIEMA