To Gozo and back

On Monday, the feast of Santa Marija, my wife and I decided to spend a day at Ta' Cenc. I really didn't feel like the long drive to Cirkewwa and the even longer wait to come back in the evening, so I decided to play the tourist and go by helicopter. I phoned up the airport to find times and prices but they knew nothing. I then phoned flight enquiries, who knew almost as little but they gave me the telephone number of the heliport.

There I struck lucky and was told that there was a flight at 9.45 a.m. and a return flight at 8.15 p.m. The cost Lm26 per head return. What the heck! I was playing the tourist. Or was I?

When I arrived at the airport, I parked my car in the car park for the day. I approached the Air Malta sales desk and gave the attendant my Maltese ID. The girl told me that my fare was Lm50 return for me and Lm50 for my wife. I explained to the girl that I had just given her my Maltese identity card and she replied that she was sorry and that our fares were Lm30 each - Lm26 plus VAT.

As I was checking in, I thought for a moment. If I were a tourist, the trip would have cost me and my wife Lm100, return. That's €230 or $290 for what turned out to be a 15-minute trip!

But what a 15-minute trip! The cost was put aside immediately the helicopter rose from the ground. The helicopter trip from Malta to Gozo was an exhilarating and breathtaking experience and one that I wouldn't have missed for the world.

As usual, however, something unfortunately always happens to dampen the pleasure. As the helicopter was moving along the coast towards St Paul's Bay, it was very obvious that an area, approximately the size of a golf course, was a different colour.

At the centre of this obvious pollution were the round rings of fish farms. This terrible stain on our otherwise beautiful sea was an eyesore as well as an obvious hazard to boats.

As we were on our way to Ta' Cenc, I was thinking that it would be a good idea if Harry and his merry men would organise a walk across this very obvious area of pollution to highlight the destruction of our otherwise crystal clear sea.

Sorry, my mind is wandering. Where was I? Oh, yes, unfortunately the helicopter trip was nearing its end and picturesque Gozo was below us shimmering in the sun.

The helicopter landed at the heliport and we disembarked.

Before I continue, I must compliment the helicopter crew for being smart, pleasant and efficient. The helicopter was new and clean and the trip was very satisfactory indeed.

When we arrived at the heliport, I noticed that the arrival and departure areas were spacious and very smart and modern, with accommodation for 50 or so people. The whole area was indeed ready and waiting for transformation and upgrading into a small, modern and efficient fixed wing passenger airport. The only thing necessary was a slightly longer runway.

Gozo garage picked us up and a wonderful day was spent at Ta' Cenc. After wining and dining, swimming and sunning, we started our homeward journey, which was as memorable and pleasant as the first.

The time from Ta' Cenc to my home in St Andrews: exactly one hour, door to door!

Pleasant as the journey was, the cost to the tourists visiting Gozo was in my humble opinion too high in proportion to the rest of the cost of their holiday. It even more entrenched in my mind the need for a proper fixed wing runway in Gozo for medium sized passenger planes.

I have always maintained that the secret of a successful tourist destination lies in being able to transport the tourists to and from and around the country in the most pleasant and economical way possible.

We are no exception. Gozo and other areas such as Vittoriosa and Cottonera will never be successful tourist destinations unless we get people there easily, comfortably and economically.

While that point is hopefully getting into the heads of people that matter, I shall settle down and relive the wonderful experience of my helicopter trip over our beautiful, beautiful islands.