I refer to Anna Cachia’s letter “Ridiculously priced Virtu Ferries” (TMIS, 23 August).

Ms Cachia is clearly misinformed and not comparing like with like. Essentially, she is comparing a domestic operation with an international one, which is far more costly to run. Your readers may wish to consider the following points in relation to Virtu Ferries prices compared to the price Ms Cachia claims to have paid in Greece:

In July our cheapest economy return fare for both a 90-minute trip and three-hour trip was e64 all charges included; the highest was e119.

Greek inter-island voyages are domestic trips; consequently no port charges and security charges are levied by the port authority.

The Greek inter-island market is a multi-million-passenger market. Economies of scale allow for lower fares.

Most domestic routes are heavily subsidised by their respective governments, both in terms of the operation and the capital outlay for the purchase of vessels.

Furthermore, Virtu Ferries does not, as Ms Cachia claims, have a monopoly as evidenced by the number of companies that operated or have operated on the Malta-Sicily route.

We would have gladly explained the difference in cost between a domestic and an international operation to Ms Cachia had she bothered to contact us. Ms Cachia’s use of language is regrettable, as are her repeated use of exclamation marks.

Henri Saliba

Managing Director

Virtu Ferries Ltd