Return of high fliers a sign that worst of credit crunch is over

By Simon Tostevin

Richard Battersby SIGNS that the effects of the credit crunch are abating are in evidence at Aiglle Flight Support with the movement of private aircraft in and out of the island on the rise again.

The company, which is situated on the east apron of the airport, is dedicated to handling and hangaring business and private aircraft.

The majority of its operation, however, is focused on the arrival and departures of professionals on business trips, and following the upheaval of the last two years in the financial markets, which had impacted on activity, movements in and out of Guernsey are picking up again.

‘We typically get around seven movements a day,’ said Aiglle director Richard Battersby (pictured), who moved to the island 15 years ago after a successful career as a venture capitalist and running a motor trade business in the UK.

‘We have done quite well since 2001. Up until late 2008 we were looking at 5 to 7% growth in numbers per annum.

‘The credit crunch put a stop to that but it’s picking up again now and we are probably only 5 to 6% down from the top numbers we achieved during our peak times.’