AURIGNY’S appeal against massive hikes in landing fees at Gatwick raises serious questions about the island’s lifeline air link.

On the surface, the actions of the airport’s new owners appear grossly unfair.

Smaller airlines such as Aurigny and, to a lesser extent, Flybe, are judged surplus to requirements by Global Infrastructure Partners, which prefers to stack as many jumbo jets as possible in the skies over West Sussex.

Regional airlines and their smaller craft make less money per flight and, when you have (over)paid £1.5bn for the world’s 28th busiest airport, it is all about the cash.

All of which puts Guernsey’s airlines in a vulnerable position. Heathrow is full (and even more expensive, according to GIP) and no one wants Stansted or London City (also owned by GIP) as the island’s primary London hub.

So Gatwick is where we want to be.

But if the airport operator is serious about forcing smaller airlines to pay exorbitant landing fees, that expense will inevitably be passed on to passengers.

Aurigny certainly cannot afford to absorb the £400,000 a year costs. It has a large loan to repay and already makes heavy losses approaching £1.5m. a year.

And this price hike could be just the start of a series if not stopped in its tracks.

Should the appeal route fail, what are islanders’ options, except to pay through the nose?

Even if the States gets involved directly it is unclear what pressure can be exerted on a major private equity company with funds of £3.5bn and its headquarters in Connecticut.

A petition would be the equivalent of throwing handfuls of confetti at serious businessmen who just want a quick return on their investment.

So Section 41 of the Airports Act would seem to be the only hope if already high air ticket prices are not to get another boost.

Through that the Civil Aviation Authority can investigate allegations that an airline is being unfairly targeted by an airport.

For once, Flybe and Aurigny find themselves on the same side.