With the Otter seaplane becoming a familiar sight in Malta’s skies, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) has said that it is pleased to note that the seaplane link to Gozo is running smoothly and providing Gozo with a much-needed air link.

The authorities’ good sense in permitting this form of transport, new for Malta, is paying off on the Gozo run, besides offering a new tourist product in the form of scenic tours with eye-catching take-off and landings in our harbour.

Just as importantly, the De Havilland DHC-3 Otter has eliminated the need for further loss of agricultural land in the form of an airstrip and further passenger handling facilities, on a tiny 14km by 7km island like Gozo. As well as providing an essential transport facility for Gozitan tourism, Gozitans have also been relieved of the noisy low flyover approaches over private property that land-based planes cannot do away with.

Futher to the debate of which form of air transport is most suited to Gozo’s needs, FAA has been informed that in adverse weather conditions, land based planes are affected just as badly as sea planes, therefore both types of aircraft are not viable in such conditions.