A new scheduled helicopter service is among the options currently being considered by the Government to make it much easier for people to travel between Malta and Gozo.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday told the Gozo Regional Committee that a helicopter operator had expressed interest in running a service.
With a chartered service, we would be at the mercy of the operator
However, the talks had not been concluded because the Government did not want the service to be a chartered one but a scheduled one.
“If we were to go by the chartered option, the deal would have been concluded ages ago. But with a chartered service, we would be at the mercy of the operator,” said Dr Muscat.
In the past, Air Malta used to run a subsidised helicopter service which was then stopped.
A Spanish helicopter operator was then engaged but pulled out in 2006 just 18 months after the company was awarded the contract. It had not been receiving any government subsidies and patronage dropped because of the high fees charged.
The Prime Minister said he was aware that the committee strongly favoured an airstrip, adding that the Government would like to discuss the possibility.
Accessibility is key, he continued, adding that the Government would be conducting all the necessary studies to analyse ways of improving accessibility between the islands in the short and medium term.
Other possible options were improving the service offered by Gozo Channel or the introduction of fast ferries. In the case of the latter, one would have to see how this would affect Gozo Channel.
He also mentioned the bridge feasibility study to be conducted and financed by the China Communications Construction Company.
He said the previous administration had requested EU financing for a study on constructing a tunnel between the islands.
“We thought it was a done deal, that the EU funds had been allocated, but we found out that the EU had rejected Malta’s request.”
He said that a second request would be submitted by the Government in the coming weeks in the hope that it would be accepted.
“We need to find a balance between the environmental impact and economic benefits.
“This is the tactic the Government will be adopting – we’ll be conducting reports, listening to people but, ultimately, we’ll be making one final decision.”
The Government’s priority, Dr Muscat insisted, was to create jobs for Gozitans in Gozo and the Budget was to include a programme to help it achieve this aim.
The Government was also encouraging private investors to create jobs in Gozo, adding that he would be speaking more clearly about this in the coming weeks.
Michael Grech, who was representing a cross-section of Gozitan society, said the committee would like to see commitment towards the implementation of promises made to Gozitans.
Gozo should not be treated in an inferior manner to Malta, he said. It faced its own challenges and problems which consequently required different tactics and methods.