A second airport in the Maltese islands : dream or reality?

Abstract

The objective of this dissertation is to explore and understand the possibility and feasibility of the construction and operation a fully-functional commercial airport in Gozo. The main reason for this study is to recognise the potential benefits that an airport will create, not only for the island of Gozo, but for the Maltese Islands as a whole. This feasibility study is being undertaken from a positive point of view with the aim of future developments. The study will be carried out from two aspects – the physical and human implications. The former include the analysis of the aircraft, runway and overall sustainability whilst the latter focuses on the feedback from three distinct entities – the Ministry of Gozo, a Handling agent and the Public. All feedback obtained will help in concluding the advantages and disadvantages of such an enterprise. Both aspects will be analytically compared to useful literature found among project management theories along with an international case study on the management of small airports. A sample of 300 respondents is being used to calculate the feedback from the public. Qualitative research will be used in the form of questionnaires which have been constructed to point out the key factors in operating an airport in Gozo. The general findings are that the sample is closely divided from those in favour and those against the idea. In conclusion, the prospect of an airport in Gozo will not be discarded by any stretch of the imagination. Theoretically, it is safe to say that it is rather feasible to operate an airport in Gozo. However, practically, many more studies need to be made in order to coherently thrash out every single channel related to the topic, with special attention to the financial implications as it was only briefly mentioned throughout the study.