Aurigny cuts right back

Wednesday 25 March 2020

Aurigny is now only operating lifeline routes in and out of Guernsey Airport - with just one service a day to and from Gatwick and Southampton until at least the end of May.

The announcement was made hours after the Bailiwick was put into lockdown, after it had been proven there is community seeding of corona virus in Guernsey.

Due to the ongoing corona virus crises the States owned airline has had to introduce even more drastic measures in response, with a greatly reduced schedule, now only offering flights on the two routes deemed as 'lifelines' and only once a day on each of those.

From today until 31 May, Aurigny will be operating: 

• GR606 – Guernsey to Gatwick – Departing at 14:50
• GR607 – Gatwick to Guernsey – Departing at 16:30
• GR656 – Guernsey to Southampton – Departing at 12:00   
• GR657 – Southampton to Guernsey – Departing at 13:15 

The Manchester to Guernsey service which had still been flying is now grounded.

Flights between Alderney and Guernsey will operate each weekday morning with an evening return. On Saturdays there will only be a morning service, and an evening service on Sundays.

This temporarily revised schedule will run for travel up to and including 31 May 2020, but Aurigny said it is subject to change at short notice.

Those two flights a day in and out of  Guernsey will only be available for those passengers with an "essential" reason for travelling. That will include people traveling to Guernsey to perform a critical service who are therefore exempt from the requirement to self-isolate when they get here, but anyone else will need an "essential" reason to travel and will be expected to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. Border Control Officers are meeting each flight to share this information with those arriving.

The number of seats sold on each flight has also been restricted to ensure passengers and crew can adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Pictured: Most of Aurigny's fleet is now grounded. 

Aurigny said: "We are restricting the numbers of seats available on the remaining services such that better separation can be achieved between passengers and between passengers and crew.  We are also suspending our normal web check-in option at this time as this will make it easier to ensure that customers are evenly spread out in the cabin.

"As ever, Aurigny’s main priority is the wellbeing of its customers and staff. We would especially like to thank those staff working in our call centre over the past weeks, who have dealt with an unprecedented number of calls due to exceptional circumstances.  Also, may thanks to our teams who continue to work despite the challenging circumstances.

"We’d like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding for any disruptions to their travel plans over recent weeks.  The situation has been truly extraordinary – one that we’ve managed to the best of our abilities.  We will endeavour to keep the lifeline services operating over the coming weeks."