“Even though the introduction of a sea-plane passenger service between Malta and Gozo is better than no service at all, we still insist that once the sea-plane can make use of an airstrip inland, the best solution would be to make it leave Malta from the Malta International Airport.”

Mr Vincent Tabone, the chairman of the Leisure and Tourism Economic Group (LTEG) of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, said this in a statement as a reaction to reports that a sea-plane passenger service will be operating between the Grand Harbour in Valletta and Mgarr Harbour in Gozo in the coming months.

Mr Tabone said that the LTEG is still convinced that if the sea-plane service is implemented as reported in the media, it will still not satisfy the needs of the tourist whose main aim is to reach Gozo in the quickest way possible.

“Once the sea-plane being mentioned can make use of both land and sea, it would be more advisable that it leaves Malta from the Malta International Airport, at least at regular intervals during the day, so that the arriving tourist on an international flight can connect easily to Gozo,” added the LTEG Chairman.

Mr Tabone concluded by saying that the LTEG reiterates that the sea-plane service would be an interim solution and that Government should start works on the extension of the airstrip in Gozo to further enhance the sister island’s connection to Malta.