Aurigny meets musicians to resolve luggage problems

Friday 19 January 2018

A group of musicians, left upset and angry over changes to Aurigny's instrument policy, have met the airline to discuss the matter.

Dr Andrew Lawrence King, Richard de la Rue and Mervyn Grand attended the meeting to raise their issues and to discuss the new policy which meant larger instruments could not be treated differently to other luggage anymore.

At the meeting, Aurigny explained the policy, which is subject to regulations imposed on airlines, while the musicians put forward several ideas and modifications which would make it easier for them to travel.

As a result of that meeting, violins, violas and other similarly shaped instruments will be able to be taken on board Aurigny's flights at hand baggage providing the case is no bigger than 20x30x100cm. It was also agreed instruments would be solely handled by Aurigny ground staff in Gatwick.

Pictured: A Harp (file image), one of the instruments which musicians had found fell foul of the new policy on carrying instruments on board Aurigny flights 

Aurigny's CEO, Mark Darby, said: "We very much welcome this opportunity to discuss the carriage of musical instruments with key representatives from the island's music community and feel we have had productive discussions over some of the practicalities and issues involved.

"Hopefully we have been able to show that as a community airline, we value musicians and the contribution they make to the community, and we will do everything we can to look after them the best we can."

Mr Darby added that the new policy came as a result of rules and regulations that they obviously could not ignore, but they also sought to make travel hassle-free.

Dr Lawrence-King agreed, saying: "This was a constructive and productive meeting. A number of problems have been resolved, and its very good to know that Aurigny is working with island musicians to seek solutions for their needs."