The Government and the Nationalist Party are engaged in a new war of words, this time over the (mis)use of army helicopters by politicians. 

Today's developments were sparked by PL MP Justyne Caruana's use of an AFM helicopter to ferry her from Gozo to the airport on Tuesday. Reportedly the MP had to catch a plane to Marseille to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean but was not going to make it in time as the decision to send her was taken late.

This morning, reliable sources told this portal that a trip to Gozo and back in an AFM helicopter would cost around €1,200.

Sources close to the PN told this paper that in the past no MP was ferried by AFM helicopter.  “In the past only the President and Prime Minister would use an AFM helicopter, and only in very particular occasions when there was simply no other choice. There was also one occasion when former Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici accompanied an EU Commissioner for immigration on a helicopter ride, but that was to make a point and show her how small Malta is, and how large its SAR zone is, and that Malta could not cope alone. No MPs ever used the army’s helicopters for any other reason. This is a first. ”

PN Leader Simon Busuttil this morning took to Twitter to call the episode a “sheer abuse of power.”

The OPM was quick to reply through sections of the media and reminded the public about a particular PQ made to former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who had used the AFM’s helicopters 45 times between 2008 and 2011.

The PQ, tabled by Labour MP Joe Mizzi, revealed that the total cost of these 45 helicopter trips cost €32,336. They mostly include official functions, like national feasts, inaugurations of new factories and businesses, Notte Bianca and the funerals of fireworks tragedy victims. But the list also includes two trips to the opera – listed as Cultural Activities – and a wedding. Most involved AFM Alouette helicopters, but a few of the journeys were carried out with Italian Military Mission helicopters.

In a jibe aimed at PN Leader Simon Busuttil and Jason Azzopardi, OPM spokesman Kurt Farrugia tweeted “Important parliament duties, not exactly using AFM service for Opera or wedding receptions. #getthingsintoperspective.”

Attempts to contact Ms Caruana have proven unsuccesful.