Aurigny signals its intention to operate inter-islands flights long-term

Guernsey's States-owned airline, Aurigny, has signaled its desire to operate the Guernsey-Jersey route 'for good'.

It comes amid the announcement that Guernsey's government has deemed the route an 'essential' service, meaning- from mid January, any airlines wishing to operate it will have to apply for a licence through the Bailiwick's Travel Licensing Authority.

Currently, both Loganair and Aurigny are operating flights between the islands since the loss of Blue Islands on Friday.

Philip Saunders, Aurigny's Chief Commercial Officer, explains why it went ahead with the route, despite the airline scrapping inter-islands flights twice in the past decade:

"There were a number of factors that impacted that decision, but we feel that now if effectively the right moment to be flying between the two sister islands and providing the service in a reliable manner, but also I hope to stimulate more travel and more demand.

"We're looking forward to working with everybody in both Jersey and Guernsey to ensure that we are a catalyst for travel between the two islands."

In a social media post, the airline said this was a return to 'its roots' that was 'just the beginning of serving the vital link between Guernsey and Jersey... for good'.

He says Aurigny's intention to serve the route is unshakable  and it is intending to update its flight schedule to continue services - currently listed to 17 December - for the rest of the winter.

"What we're doing at the moment is trying to help people, straight away. We've announced our schedule until the middle of December, and we're going to, in two more installments, effectively update our schedule.

"The reason we're doing that is to make sure that everything we plan is planned in a robust manner so that the service can be reliable."

The CCO says the airline desires to be part of all strategic direction for planning relating to air services to and from the Channel Islands.

"That's our mission, and we would like to work with all of the key stakeholders in Guernsey and Jersey, not only to establish similar views, but also to make sure that we're playing the maximum role for all of our communities."

Earlier, Guernsey Economic Development Committee President  Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller told us the designation of Jersey-Guernsey  designation doesn't mean there cannot be competition on the route, but that her priority 'is what is in the best interest of our community and economy.'

READ: 'It's very clear that they have been working with Loganair for a while"