The relaunched helicopter service between the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo carried more than 500 passengers in its first month of operation.

Helisureste from Spain officially took the reins from Malta Aircharter in March.

The company’s EASA-compliant Bell 412 can carry 13 passengers on as many as nine flights per day.

The company projects a positive outlook andexpects the service to carry 40,000 passengers per year by the end of next year.