Light aircraft prepares for Gozo take-off

A new UK-based fixed-wing aircraft is ready to start an air link between Malta and Gozo, provided the present airstrip in Gozo is extended by 230 metres.

Synergy Aviation has formally presented a detailed proposal to the government to service the Malta-Gozo air link, weeks after the pullout of the helicopter service.

Low operation and maintenance costs, its environmental friendliness and the non-requirement of subsidies means that the fixed-wing service is feasible, Synergy Aviation managing director Glen Heavens told The Times.

Synergy Aviation operates various aircraft across Europe including the Britten-Norman Islander, often known as the world's most versatile aircraft.

The aircraft is fully compliant with EU requirements and Synergy Aviation already operates the Islander for public transport and requires no further licences or approvals to fly in Malta.

Capt. Heavens said the aircraft will be able to operate around the clock and schedules will be designed to link up with flights at Malta International Airport.

The operation will initially require two aircraft operating at peak times, while a third would be sought to act as standby aircraft and cover maintenance.

In an island of 26 square miles, the bone of contention is likely to be the size of the airstrip, which needs to be stretched by about 230 metres from 174 metres to facilitate fixed-wing operations. The proposed additional runway will utilise an area currently used as an unofficial rubbish dump, Capt. Heavens argued. Based on standard commercial figures for landing fees, maintenance, insurance and other operational costs, it is anticipated that the fares will be about Lm15 one way and Lm25 return.

The twin-engine aircraft has a maximum capacity of nine passengers and offers flexible quick-change seating. The flight time between Malta and Gozo will be under 10 minutes and during peak season the new service may carry up to 40 passengers per hour.

The owners believe the aircraft also has the potential to be reconfigured to accommodate up to 10 skydivers and even double up as an air ambulance.

Pilots will be recruited locally and Synergy has its own flying school and can conduct initial pilot training in-house.

Capt. Heavens underlines the fact that the aircraft is fuel-efficient and has a lower noise impact than a helicopter. The cost of operating a simple fixed-wing aircraft is about 25 per cent that of a comparable turbine helicopter.

He believes the introduction of the fixed-wing service will have a significant impact on tourism in Gozo and attract new visitors.

Moreover, the idea being touted is that should the airstrip be extended, Gozo would then be accessible for light fixed-wing aircraft to commute to other Mediterranean destinations, like Sicily, Libya and Tunisia.

The company has already made a presentation to the ministries for Gozo and competitiveness and will be meeting with environmental NGOs Din l-Art Helwa and Nature Trust shortly.

Capt. Heavens says the proposal has enthused both the Gozo Tourism Association and the Gozo Business Chamber.

When contacted, Nature Trust president Vince Attard said the NGO would not be taking a formal stand before it is provided with all the details.

"At first glance we are aware that the aircraft causes less pollution than the helicopter, but we also have to take into consideration the development on the ground," Mr Attard said.

"Another concern is whether the airstrip will keep growing in the years to come."

The government has so far remained non-committal over the issue of a fixed-winged air link service for Gozo.

Helicopteros del Sureste, the Spanish company that operated the helicopter service between the airport and Xewkija since March last year, stopped the service at the end of October because of lack of demand. The company decided to pack up and leave after its request for a subsidy was not met by the government.