Editor: Operations had resumed as at time of posting.

The first choice of transport to Macau by super-whales has been shut down until Sky Shuttle can figure out what went wrong with the helicopter that was forced to land in the Hong Kong harbor on Saturday. No one was hurt, but 11 passengers and two pilots were plucked from the water after the helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing when the pilot heard a loud bang and decided he could not control the craft well enough to land back on the helipad.

No one doubts the determination of Chinese gamblers, especially those with tens of millions to play, to get to Macau when they feel the planets are in alignment or they have seen an omen. And the ferry is not really such a torture. Mainland-based whales will be coming by car through Gongbei, anyway. So we understand why most of the operators we contacted are putting a brave face on the loss of chopper services – for now. This accident does, however, raise attention to the fact that Macau is overly dependent on a monopoly provider of air services, both in helicopters and jets. We don’t think Wynn Macau or Sands China would be so interested in following the lead of now-bankrupt Viva Macau and try to start up an airline, but a helicopter service of their own would be a no-brainer if allowed. Sands would obviously be in pole position for an application, considering its experience in running ferries. Teaming up with an established helicopter service operator like the Kadoorie family in Hong Kong would be easy. Could this incident be the pretext needed by the Macau government to put another license out to tender before the Pac On terminal is finished in 2012? Stay tuned.

Used with permission & copyright to IntelMacau