Festive 'flights to nowhere' sell out in under two hours

Thursday 26 November 2020

Aurigny's most successful flights this year may turn out to be ones that go nowhere at all.

A 'flight to nowhere', which takes islanders on a festive 20-minute trip aboard the airline's new ATR 72-600s, sold out within two hours of tickets becoming available, even after a second flight was scheduled.

After a turbulent year that often saw Aurigny either completely grounded or operating only essential 'lifeline' routes, PR Manager Jess Mauger was pleased that they could provide an opportunity for islanders to take to the skies.

"At Aurigny we love flying, and we know that many residents do too, therefore what better way to get festive in the run-up to Christmas?" she said.

"Whilst isolation requirements have meant a steep decline in passenger number, we are in the lucky position in Guernsey to be one of the only places in the British Isles without social distancing or restrictive measures in place.

Pictured: the first of Aurigny's three ATR 72-600 aircraft arrived in October 2019 - they burn less fuel and are equipped with ClearVision technology to make it easier to land in low visibility.

"I have been blown away by how quickly the tickets were snapped up. I think with the absence of holidays this year, people are really keen to take to the skies in whatever way they can."

The flights will come with a festive twist: passengers will be waved off by an elf ahead of departure, and seasonal songs will be played on board.

Aurigny have also promised that a 'special visitor' from the North Pole will greet children when they return and present them with a gift.

The airline has thanked the teams at Public Health and Guernsey Airport for their assistance in making sure that the flights could go ahead without the need for passengers to wear masks - and for granting Father Christmas critical worker status, as Dr Nicola Brink announced several weeks ago.

"We may put further flights on," said Mrs Mauger. "Although we will have to check with Father Christmas, as his schedule is particularly busy at this time of year!"