Helicopter service to be resumed in March

An agreement was signed at the Gozo Ministry last Sunday, with the Spanish company Helicopteros de Sureste to provide Gozo-Malta helicopter service which start on March 21.

An average of 20 flights will be offered daily in summer, while in winter there will be eight daily trips on a Bell helicopter which can carry up to 13 persons. The company said that it will increase the number of flights and sure larger helicopters if there is a demand.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Maltese government by Louis Cilia and Frank Psaila, permanent secretaries at the Competitiveness and Gozo ministries respectively, Helicopteros de Sureste managerial and commercial directors Luis Minano Sanvalero and Antonio Martinez. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who presided over the ceremony, said that the government was prepared to assist Gozo in any way in the development of its commercial sectors, including its development as a tourist destination. The signing of this agreement was a vote of confidence in Gozo's tourism industries, he said.

Helicopteros des Sureste saw investment opportunities in Malta and its success would be translated into more employment opportunities for Maltese and Gozitans, he added.

However, the Opposition spokesman on Gozo, Dr Anton Refalo, recently said that the fares would make the service prohibitive for tourists and Gozo residents. A one-way trip costs Lm30 while a return tickets costs Lm50. Gozitans will pay Lm26 for a return flight and Lm16 one-way.

Dr Refalo said that the government knew well enough that such fares would not make the service viable.

Such a service should be considered as a basic need for the Gozitans, he said. He also added that people travelling abroad were no longer able to check their luggage in Gozo.