Helicopter service disappointment

The opposition spokesman for Gozo, Anton Refalo, said yesterday the announcement of the resumption of the Gozo helicopter service was a tragi-comedy as the fares would make the service prohibitive for both tourists and Gozitans.

Dr Refalo said in parliament that the government itself knew well enough that at these exorbitant fares, this service would never be viable. How could a tourist pay Lm50 for a return flight, higher than what it cost to go to London?

Was the government laying the ground for a switch to a service by a fixed wing aircraft? If that was the case, the government should say so. Why was the government so strongly against a subsidy for this helicopter service, particularly for the Gozitans?

According to what had been said, the service would cost the Gozitans Lm26 for a return flight. Such a service should be considered a basic need for the Gozitans. When the service was operated by Malta Air Charter, a return flight for Gozitans cost Lm18 and those taking a connecting Air Malta flight only paid Lm5.

Furthermore, people going abroad used to be able to check in their luggage in Gozo. That service had now been discontinued.