Harbourair Malta’s seaplane, which will soon start flying from the Valletta Waterfront to Mgarr harbour in Gozo, will touch down at Grand Harbour for the first time today at 5pm.

This could be described as a historic event in Maltese aviation terms, since it is highly probable that it was way back in the 1940s that the last seaplane landed in the harbour, although no specific records exist.

The DHC-3 Single Otter is powered by a Pratt & Whitney T6 turbine engine producing 750 horse power with a cruising speed of 130 miles per hour.

The aircraft can accommodate 14 passengers and will fly a direct route from Valletta Waterfront to Mgarr Harbour. Scenic flights over the Maltese islands will also be organised.

Flights between Valletta and Mgarr will last about 10 minutes, excluding taxiing, while scenic flights will last about 30 minutes, also excluding taxiing.

A Harbourair spokesperson confirmed that there was an overwhelming interest in the seaplane and some flights that would operate over the summer months were already fully booked.

The seaplane has been sitting at the Malta Freeport’s Small Crafts Quay in Birzebbuga, from where it will set off for its first flight this afternoon. Harbourair’s technical crew will carry out some checks at about 4pm and when it touches down at Grand Harbour an hour later, the plane will taxi to its new berthing place at Valletta Waterfront, in front of the Sea Passenger Terminal.

The seaplane will operate daily scheduled flights between July and October. A full schedule of flights, standard fares and more information may be obtained from www.harbourairmalta.com.