Aurigny 'revives and thrives' relationship with Alderney

Monday 17 August 2020

Relations between the States-owned airline and the northern isle have "greatly improved" since lockdown, with both parties seemingly happy with how the other has responded to the corona virus crisis.

Aurigny Chief Executive Mark Darby said initial schedules between Guernsey and Aurigny had filled quickly, with the airline operating up to five returns a day in the absence of any significant international travel.

“I am delighted that our relationship with the Alderney community post-pandemic is greatly improved with Aurigny’s efforts being appreciated by both residents and the government: initially providing just the lifeline services and then extending those services to offer a full schedule for holiday makers and residents," said Mr Darby.

Pictured: The short-notice Alderney Week celebrations have been viewed as a big success for Aurigny and for Alderney's embattled economy. 

“We have always been proud to provide vital connectivity to Alderney to the best of our abilities, but the current situation has highlighted our commitment to the island. I am particularly grateful to Steve Parilla and his team in Alderney and our Dornier crews who have responded to the challenges of the crisis and latterly been busier than ever."

Alderney's Policy & Finance Chairman James Dent said he's pleased the island has been able to "salvage something" from the summer with frequent travel from Guernsey. 

“As well as serving islanders needs to get to Guernsey, this has enabled many people from Guernsey to come up and enjoy Alderney; many for the first time in decades or at all," he said.

"I am pleased to confirm that this period of significant challenge for the island has seen the development of new relationships between the Island and Aurigny.

Pictured: James Dent had been fearful of very few visitors to the island when lockdown hit in the spring.

"We are grateful to everyone concerned in the company for helping to salvage something from this summer, especially when for much of the spring it looked like a disastrous year for many island businesses with no visitors at all."

Aurigny is unable to offer services between Alderney and Southampton at this moment due to its limited schedule.

"We plan to relaunch the Alderney-Southampton services as soon as the authorities clear us to do so," a spokesman for the airline said. "But at this time we do not know when this will be."