The Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) has expressed astonishment at the way the new seaplane service from Grand Harbour to Mgarr, Gozo has been announced.

The association said that in their statements, officials of Harbour Air Malta Ltd had spoken of their plans to offer a new flying experience in a safe, professional and efficient manner and to organise aerial sight-seeing trips of the Maltese archipelago.

"At no point was any reference made to the service being addressed towards Gozo, the Gozitans or any industry on Gozo. From the outset this looks like a venture by a company whose main aim is to realise the profit-making projections of its marketing plan. Offering a memorable experience does not imply that it will be offering the service to workers who have to cross over to Malta every day, or to tourists and Gozitan travellers departing or arriving in Gozo," the association said.

It said the problems which could be posed by the weather were being treated too lightly.

"This makes one conclude that, in all probability, this will end up as a seasonal or frequently interrupted 'service' rather than a year-round air-link. Furthermore, since such a service is so dependent on weather conditions, it cannot be sold on a pre-booking system, especially for packaged holidays."

The GTA council said it was reiterating its call for a safe, reliable and consistent air-link between Malta and Gozo.

"Private ventures should not be discouraged as long as they do not pose any danger to people or the environment; however they should not be allowed to replace or divert attention from real issues. Gozo deserves a sustainable all-weather, year-round air-link and this is only possible with the introduction of a fixed-wing operation. The longer the decision to introduce such a service is postponed, the more harm will be inflicted on the tourism industry on Gozo," the association concluded.