CAF helicopters still flying to the island of Vis

The article published today, 5 October 2012, on some web portals and on the Croatian radio, that Vis was left without air connections and that CAF medical helicopters were prohibited to land on the island of Vis, is not correct.

Croatian Air Force and Air Defence helicopters have been available 24 hours a day, as till now, for medical flights and transport of all inhabitants on the islands, including the island of Vis.

Instruction of the Air Force and Air Defence Commander applies only to ban of the use of Vis 2 heliport, which does not have all the permissions of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Construction. Specifically, part of the heliport on Vis, which among others was used by the Air Force and Air Defence helicopters, was built on a private property, and the property owner has asked the Ministry of Defence to stop violation of property rights and the use of private land for take off and landing of helicopters. Owner of the land initiated a lawsuit at the Municipal Court in Split to protect the rights of ownership.

Based on the orders of the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, and in accordance with the agreement of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Health on cooperation in the implementation of emergency air medical transport, alternative locations for take off and landing of helicopters on the island of Vis have been used by the Air Force and Air Defence helicopter.