It appears that Dr Anton Refalo, the Labour MP from Gozo is planning to revamp the old polemic as to whether Gozo should have its own airstrip. Speaking in parliament on 22 November, he insisted that Gozo needs an airstrip for aircraft carrying at least 60 passengers. Incredible! This reminded me of the Air Malta problems after it purchased the Avro Liners.
I shall base my arguments from the commercial angle and will allow more competent people to access the environmental negative impact which that operation will have on the island.
I am now enjoying my retirement after a very long career in military aviation and commercial airline business, which dates as far back as 1960. During these years I witnessed go-go adventures blowing up in thin air due to bad foresights and because the projects were not properly tested and effectively scrutinised before being put on line.
Malta Air Charter, a subsidiary airline of Air Malta which I proudly managed for a number of years, used to operate the most economical service with three MI 8 helicopters during the peak seasons, reduced to two during winter. Each helicopter carried 25 passengers and because of very favourable wet leasing rates afforded through Eastern European operators, the fare was just right and affordable to the tourists as well as Gozitan passengers.
A very good percentage of Gozitans travelling on international flights chose the helicopter to get to the airport. A sizeable percentage of four-star hotel tourists were also using the service. The mass- sector still however preferred the romantic and more affordable boat crossing.
With that mix, MAC used to carry an average of 50,000 passengers every year at a loss of Lm120,000. However, Lm80,000 were going back to Air Malta as handling charges and a bigger chunk was also being paid to the government on VAT and tax on fuel so the real incoming totals well exceeded the negative balance shown on the book. Air Malta was rendering an excellent service to Gozo, even though at a cost.
All that is now water under the bridge, and although it was not always admitted by the government, EU regulations do not allow those kind of helicopters to operate within the union. All through the years of the helicopter service, Air Malta remained open to the possibility of developing an air link to Gozo provided by a fixed wings aircraft. The stumbling block was always the same: lack of viability, not enough demand for seats.
The option to operate with purchased aircraft and own crews will cost more than a wet lease operation. In depth studies will show you that a fixed- wing service between Malta and Gozo is a non-starter.
The cost to transport one passenger on a 10-minute return flight has now reached the astronomical and ridiculous sum of over Lm120 when a return air ticket for a three-and-a-half-hour flight to London costs less.
The profile of a flying passenger to Gozo is that of an international one in transit at Malta International Airport. The service will never become appealing to other passengers because it does not offer any extraordinary advantages to domestic commuters. A boat-crossing is a lot cheaper, equally efficient and at the best of times more convenient.
The Gozo-destined tourists arrive in Malta in small numbers on infrequent international flights spaced by hours of intervals which render a very low seat take-up on the islands’ connection. That situation calls for more frequencies with a smaller seat configured aircraft. I honestly fail to understand how a fixed wing 60-seater aircraft will solve that insurmountable dilemma.
A good shuttle service between MIA and Cirkewwa will increase the island’s appeal and lessen the burden for travellers.
The Greek islands and many other islands I know of, do not have the luxury of an aerial service to the mainland and are still very popular. Let us therefore look at what we are doing wrong in Gozo and mend it. Managed effectively, the beautiful island of Gozo has all the required qualities to attract more visitors – even without an aerial connection.
Charles J Buttigieg
Mellieha