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GAAG calls for BA

GAAG calls for BA

Tuesday 03 September 2024

GAAG calls for BA

Tuesday 03 September 2024


An aviation campaign group wants the States to invoke its emergency powers, and talk to BA about taking over the Guernsey to London air routes.

The Guernsey Aviation Action Group has said the recent disruption to Aurigny's services is damaging the island's reputation, claiming businesses are moving off island as a result.

Although it has given no names, GAAG says it is "very aware of the severe dissatisfaction with the service being provided by Aurigny" adding that "the impact on the business industry is very concerning with a number of companies quietly moving off the island and major players moving parts of their business to Jersey".

With Aurigny unable to provide "the very basic services the island needs to maintain our present position much less provide growth", GAAG says the time is right to take decisive action.

"The reputational damage is immediate but restoring confidence will take years, and at considerable cost," wants the campaign group which has called on Policy and Resources to take action immediately.

"We urge P&R to consider invoking Emergency Powers and speaking to BA and asking them to formulate a plan to provide a GCI - LGW/LHR service," said GAAG.

"Concurrent with this planning, we need to start immediately on the installation of EMAS.  We cannot afford not to if we are to request help from the major players."

You can read the statement from the Guernsey Aviation Action Group in full HERE.

Guernsey currently has an open skies policy on most of its air routes - except those protected as 'lifeline routes'.

The lifeline routes are the Guernsey to Gatwick, Guernsey to Alderney, and Guernsey/Alderney to Southampton.

In response to queries over how another airline could be allowed to operate services between Guernsey and Gatwick, the Chairman of GAAG has suggested Aurigny lease out the landing slots it owns at the London hub. 

Writing on Facebook, Barry Cash also said that "BA and EasyJet contacted the States a number of years ago saying they could be interested".

As well as wanting BA to take on the Guernsey/Gatwick service, Mr Cash again reiterated GAAG's view that EMAS should be built at Guernsey Airport.

An 'Engineered Materials Arresting System' has previously been mooted for Guernsey Airport - offering an artificial surface which would stop any aircraft that rolls on to it. It is often added to the end of runways.

Again, writing on Facebook, Mr Cash stated that other airlines have been prevented from wanting to fly to/from Guernsey because of the "limitations of not having EMAS which would cost only £22M and paid for by the tourist industry".

READ MORE...

OPINION: Businesses "quietly moving off island"

STSB orders independent review of Aurigny's fleet restructure

Aurigny offers reassurance and hope

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