Deputy defends new Guernsey to Heathrow route

Strengthening Guernsey's connectivity, supporting the finance sector and growing visitor numbers is a "priority", the Committee for Economic Development (ED) has said.

British Airways launched a new route between Guernsey and Heathrow on 19 April offering an additional flight option to London alongside Guernsey's States-owned airline Aurigny.

But States Trading Supervisory Board (STSB) President Mark Helyar has said the additional route would have a negative impact on Aurigny, which is set to make a £5m loss this year due to falling passenger numbers.

Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller said competition could bring "short-term disruption" and Aurigny would need "time to adjust" to the competitor.

She said: "Securing a link to Heathrow with a national carrier such as British Airways was a key policy and investment objective as agreed by the States in 2018.

"Airline performance is influenced by a range of factors, including market competition, confidence, existing contractual commitments and operating costs."

Kazantseva-Miller said Guernsey's air connectivity had experienced "significant change" over recent years including the collapse of Flybe in 2020 and Blue Islands last year.

She said additional changes to "essential route licensing and rising fuel costs" had caused "a material impact on Aurigny".

"Throughout these challenges, the committee has continued to enable competition and support route development, benefiting different carriers including Aurigny on the Paris route," added Kazantseva-Miller.

Kazantseva-Miller said competition was "a natural part of market evolution".

She said: "Responding to these conditions is a matter for Aurigny's Board. With the existing Air Policy reaching the end of its useful life, work is well under way on a new framework.

"We are working closely with key stakeholders, including the STSB and Aurigny, to ensure it delivers stronger connectivity, greater resilience for lifeline services and clarity on Aurigny's role as a strategic infrastructure asset."

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