Seaplane to link Malta and Gozo
The air link between Malta and Gozo is expected to be restored by May with the introduction of a seaplane to fly between the two islands. A Maltese/Canadian company will operate the service from Grand Harbour to Mgarr, a mere 10-minute journey, The Times has learnt. The price for the flight will be in the region of Lm10 per passenger and there will be some 13 flights per day each way. http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=249131

It was interesting to see the photo on the Times front page credited to airliners.net. But it seems like they did not get the photographer's permission!

This is so absolutely awsome! I wish this seaplane service actually does come true!

ma nafx jien...pjutost xettiku. nahseb l idea li itawlu ir runway al islander nahseb hafna ahjar avolja tigi iktar expensive, imma je issir hekk ajruplani privati ohra jistu jinzlu ukoll u tiftah ikta ris suq tat turizmu.....b din is soluzjoni esac tkun qe disolvi bicca min problema hafna ikbar tat turizmu f gozo

But with the seaplane they have solved the environmental problem. I am sure local NGOs would not stay quite if the runway is to be extended.

It's all wasteland around the airstrip... the only thing that happens right now is some Gozitan contractor dumping some waste there. We'll probably have another Helisureste. The seaplane comes, a lot of hype, ministers taking photos, then everyone goes back home after a few months. The MMA will never permit a landing in Grand Harbour, and no seaplane can take the punishment of an open water landing outside the breakwater!

I remember once reading that Gozo so needs an air link as bad seas can leave many stranded for days at a time. Um... wouldnt this be the same for a seaplane also???

Cant they just extend the runway and be happy with a fixed wing air link in all sea conditions? (Or a tunnel?? or a bridge?) hehehe

Off topic maybe, but am I the only person who is bothered by the fact that the Times used an a.net photo without obtaining the photographer's permission? I know because I've been in touch with the photographer. A while back a local chap had told me that a different newspaper did the same to him. Is this how the local media treats copyright?

em....exactly... i agree totally! if the gozo ferry is stopped by rough weather so will the aircraft! the solution lies in the commitment of those people who are in high place in the government and in favour of the airstrip being extended to promote more the advantages brought about by extending the runway...surly the people object about it are hunters that they don't want to loose their killing spot and forget about the conservation issues of the land!

In regards to copyright of the image used from Airliners.. well thats rather naughty indeed. If a UK publication did that it would be a big law suit to say the least! A relative worked for a paper in the UK, and they even go so far as to make sure they have permission to use fonts, let alone images! I think its a terrible shame the media in Malta feel they can do this. Did they even credit the photographer or just airliners??. I have had many images published in Malta, but with my permission and a credit. Unfortunatley you dont get paid here as far as im aware, but blatant theft from a website is disgraceful.

They just credited airliners, which raised my suspicions straight away because a.net does not handle publication requests. I'm not sure what the photographer can do from abroad but I hope he makes some trouble for them. This is the photo incidentally: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0762638/M/ Charles