A tiny European island in the Mediterranean has so far been a popular day trip destination, with its only access available via ferry . However, the government now wants to convert these day-trippers into overnight guests, with a plan to use an airfield on the island to provide daily flights between the main island and its smaller neighbour. Gozo is part of the Maltese archipelago, located between Sicily to the north and Libya to the south.
Plans for the expanded airfield in Gozo were approved by the Planning Authority’s Board in October. At the moment, the airfield is only used for emergency purposes, and is located on the outskirts of the village of Xewkija. Currently home to a disused heliport, the plans will see the runway extended so that small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters can land.
According to a local newspaper , the entire project is expected to cost 2.5 million euros, or £2 million. Upgrades to the heliport are set to cost 1.
6 million euros (£1.3million) with a further 861,000 euros (£716,000) being spent on three nine-seater aircraft. When the airfield opens in 2026, it is thought that there will be 15 flights per day, including scheduled and chartered flights.
According to local media, tickets could cost between £20 and £30 when they launch. The airfield will also serve as a base for activities including skydiving. Ronald Sultana, director of tourism and economic development at Malta’s ministry for Gozo and planning, said: "We are not against day tri.
