Experts in the general aviation field have told this newspaper that the concept of a seaplane connecting Malta to Gozo is “a sheer impossibility” and “a dream that cannot become a reality”.

First of all, current legislation in force will not allow a seaplane to take off from inside Grand Harbour. Any take-off must be made outside the Breakwater.

This implies at least a 10-minute taxi-time from the quay to outside the Breakwater.

Furthermore, sources in the field hotly disputed the claim the plane can operate in all but the most stormy conditions. Although this may be true with regard to flying, it is normally held that waves of more than 1.5 metres impede proper take off or landing. In other words, no seaplane takes off when the sea has “white horses”, a condition very common outside the Breakwater, as also the presence of strong currents.

One other issue regards landing in Gozo. Due to the great congestion inside Mgarr harbour, the plane must land at some distance and then has to taxi its way in. Here, more than in Grand Harbour, it risks hitting the many small boats in the area, especially if it does so at night.

And the currents and swell problem here is even greater, especially in southwest winds.

One additional problem, the sources said, is corrosion as the seaplane will not be operating in a lake, but in seawater.

This will not get the government off the hook sources said – taking the proper decision to extend the heliport strip into a proper airstrip.