This Is Guernsey

AURIGNY has accused Flybe of cutting back its Manchester operation to start a subsidised service to Dublin.

But Flybe hit back, saying Aurigny should concentrate on improving its service. ‘Rather than whining about Flybe’s expanded network from Guernsey, Aurigny would do better to focus on improving their service and punctuality off the island,’ said Mike Rutter, Flybe’s chief commercial officer. ‘If Aurigny believes it can operate extra routes to and from Guernsey, in the spirit of cooperation we are happy to provide consultancy advice at the going market rate.’

Flybe last week announced a new direct service to Dublin that will start in June, with flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The route will receive support from the States in the first few years of operation, including £30,000 for marketing and landing fees being waived.

Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart said his airline had been unable to offer a suitable tender as the Dublin route would have required an additional aircraft. ‘Flybe’s proposal works because it is based on the withdrawal of an aircraft from the Manchester route, to the detriment of their service to the people of the Channel Islands and Manchester,’ he said. ‘This is something Aurigny was not prepared to do.’

Mr Hart said Flybe’s Manchester service had been reduced from daily to three flights per week.

‘There will be no Flybe services to Manchester on Tuesdays and Thursdays this summer as the aircraft will now be used to fly a subsidised service to Dublin,’ he said.

Flybe has been a long-term critic of the States’ ownership of Aurigny, claiming that the airline had received millions in government subsidies.

But Mr Hart denied that.

‘The irony of Flybe making statements about Aurigny receiving subsidies from the States, when we receive none, and yet receiving them now themselves, will not be lost on people,’ he said.

Mr Rutter said Flybe had launched eight new routes from Guernsey since 2005. ‘It’s a record we are proud of when compared to Aurigny’s failure to introduce any new destinations over the same period,’ he said.

He added that while the airline was grateful to the States for the money for marketing the new route, ‘this is a pinprick when compared to the tens of millions of pounds of state subsidy Aurigny has squirrelled away over the years.

‘The easiest solution to Aurigny’s mewling is for them to stop being subsidised, compete in the marketplace and then they can apply for as much route support from government as they like.’

Commerce and Employment director of marketing and tourism director Chris Elliott said a financial support agreement was usual in the early days of a service.

‘A new route takes a while to break even,’ he said. ‘Support of this kind is available by negotiation to any airline opening up a new direct route from Guernsey.’