FOUR in five islanders think Aurigny should stay in States ownership, according to figures released today.
The Island Opinion airline benchmark survey, commissioned by Aurigny, found that 80% of people thought government should retain the airline it bought in May 2003 – a 23% increase on a similar poll carried out in 2006.
The survey, conducted in May, was designed to assess the quality of local airline services. ‘We believe that this is a massive endorsement for our commitment to delivering good service to the people of the Channel Islands,’ said Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart.
‘The 23% rise in support for continued States ownership is validation of the 40 years of continued service that we have provided, sometimes when certain routes have been financially challenging and when weather conditions have not been in our favour.’
The survey is the third of its kind commissioned by Aurigny, following others in 2006 and 2004.
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3 Article Comments
Sell Aurigny and use the money to resurface and extend the runway otherwise Guernsey will become a backwater with no hope of a regular decent airlink.
I wouldn’t sell Aurigny. If you sell the airline prices will increase and services will no doubt be cut. You can now fly Guernsey-Jersey from £52 return compared to £86 before there was competition. Once Blue Islands became the sole operator on Alderney-Jersey fares rose to £105 return (although that has now reduced to £95 return). Years ago people were saying that the States should set up an airline. Remember what happened when Air UK was offered money for its slots at Heathrow slots - the island lost its Heathrow link.
I will admit to being highly sceptical when the States bought Aurigny.
Now I believe that it was probably one of the best decisions to have been made.
The fact is that with the support of the islands’ air travellers our airline could invest in better aircraft for the future. Guernsey needs a reliable air link, and doesn’t have to be held to ransom because of this.