This Is Guernsey

By Joel de Woolfson

FLYING would be cheaper if the States did not own Aurigny, rival airline Flybe has claimed. Hitting back, Aurigny said its rival had timed its statement to spoil the States-owned airline’s birthday celebrations.

Responding to Commerce and Employment’s paper on the Regulation and Development of Transport (Air and Sea) Links, Flybe called for government to get rid of Aurigny and adopt an open-skies policy.

It believes ending licensing would lead to more competition, more passengers and greater economic benefits for Guernsey.

‘Flybe welcomes the steps towards liberalisation brought about under Deputy Stuart Falla’s leadership, but recognises that these reforms cannot be built upon because of the massive contradiction at the heart of the government policy – the state ownership of Aurigny,’ said Mike Rutter, chief commercial officer for Flybe.

Aurigny MD Malcolm Hart said: ‘It is ironic that Flybe has decided to issue this message on the day that Aurigny celebrates 40 years of serving the people of the Channel Islands.

‘Aurigny was bought by the States of Guernsey in 2003 for good reasons and the past five years have proved that they still stand.’

Mr Hart said the airline had safeguarded the Gatwick slots and many other sustainable routes.

‘An open-skies policy would suit Flybe, as it would be left free to charge Channel Islanders higher prices, without Aurigny standing in its way.’

Flybe cited the Isle of Man to highlight the difference liberalisation could make to the market.

It claimed CAA data showed passenger numbers up by more than 8% during the last four years, compared to a fall of 4.34% in Guernsey.

Mr Rutter added: ‘Guernsey’s continued opposition to a liberalised aviation policy flies in the face of logic and damages the economy of the island.

‘That’s why we are again calling upon the States to give up ownership of Aurigny, embrace an open-skies agenda and get rid of the arcane system of licensing.’