The relaunched Gozo-Malta helicopter service carried over 500 passengers up till the end of April - around 16 to 17 people per day.

The new operators of the service, Spanish company Helisureste, officially took over the reins on March 27. The service had previously been operated by Malta Aircharter, which ceased operations last October.

The company's modern Bell 412 helicopter, fully compliant with European civilian regulations, can carry 13 passengers. The company operates up to nine scheduled return flights per day. However, there has so far been a daily average of six.

Helisureste's area manager in Gozo, Noel Grech, said: "We are impressed with the response in spite of the obvious difficulties of setting up this operation. We are offering a service and the outlook is positive."

Mr Grech said Helisureste had a commitment to fly whenever there was a booking and added that the company expected to carry 40,000 passengers per year by the end of 2006.

"This year, we already have a lot of incentive business, such as day trips, and we also hope to bring over a conference later in the year. We are also operating photographic and excursion flights over the Maltese islands. So the market does exist."

Helisureste has also concluded inter-line agreements with Air Malta and British Airways that give the facility to customers to book their helicopter flight in conjunction with an international ticket. The company has also reached agreement with major tourist operators to sell its services.

The company hopes to have a through-checking-in system up and running by the end of June, which means passengers will not have to check-in for their flight once they arrive at Malta International Airport.

Mr Grech defended the cost of a ticket - Lm50 return or Lm26 for Gozitans: "Our price is higher (than the previous fare) but so is the value of service. You cannot talk about the price without looking at the service being provided."

Over 50 per cent of Helisureste's customers, he said, had been Gozitans, though he would not specify the exact number for commercial reasons. However, putting prices down is definitely not an option.

"There are other ways in which we can cut costs if we have to, such as by reducing the schedule - though I don't envisage that - and improving connectivity with international flights, which we have already done. Maintaining a quality service is the most important thing.

"The first year is always difficult. We will see the results next year. The company will definitely be here for the next 18 months. But we are taking an optimistic view: Malta is a strategic location and we are seriously evaluating other routes up to 250 nautical miles away - the maximum range of our helicopter - such as to Palermo, Tunis, Jerba, Messina and Tripoli."

Helisureste also has fixed-wing aircraft which can be used for medical evacuation or charter and it is considering the possibility of servicing these from Malta International Airport to other destinations.

"It could be Lampedusa, north Africa - anywhere within the range of the aircraft. We are holding discussions with the potential users of this service," he said.

The helicopter is flown almost round the clock by two crews from Spain, who work two weeks on and two weeks off. The company is also assisting Maltese crews and technicians to achieve the necessary qualifications to be able to work in such an operation.

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