Helicopter link between Malta and Gozo would not be operated by Air Malta

The planned re-introduction of a helicopter passenger service between Malta and Gozo would not be operated by Air Malta, Times of Malta was told. Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi deemed such a service “does not fall within the airline’s business plan or strategy”, a spokesman said. Plans to re-introduce an air connection between the two islands, a service that gave rise to viability issues every time it was running, were resurrected recently by Dr Mizzi. His spokesman confirmed the government’s intention to put in place a new helicopter service, adding feasibility studies were already underway. “The service will be run by a specifically-set-up subsidiary company of Malta MedAir,” the spokesman said. Malta MedAir is a government company originally set up to buy airport slots previously owned by the national airline and lease them back to Air Malta. It is distinct from Air Malta, although the government owns the majority of shares in both. “With regard to Air Malta, the service does not fall within the airline’s business plan or strategy. The airline will focus only on international flight connections,” the spokesman said. Civil aviation industry sources commented that, while the...