Guernsey and Jersey ranked among most costly British airports for drivers

Thursday 22 September 2022

Guernsey and Jersey Airports have been ranked among the most expensive in Great Britain for travelling drivers.

Taking into account the basic cost of parking at the airport and hiring a car, Jersey came top of the list, while Guernsey came a close second in the ranking put together by car leasing comparison site Lease Fetcher.

However, Guernsey was higher than Jersey when it comes to car hire costs.

Pictured: The list put together by Lease Fetcher.

Responding to the figures, Ben Le Huray, Chief Commercial and Infrastructure Officer of Guernsey Ports, commented: "The proximity of our parking to the terminal building and the wide variety of alternative means of travel to and from the airport means that our pricing policy is not based upon a seven-day product. Passengers can choose not to park on site for a whole week, but there is a high demand for shorter term parking to service passengers on day and weekend trips. As a result, we balance our car park charges to make sure that need can be met and to provide a valuable source of non-aeronautical revenue for Guernsey Ports.

"With the exception of Jersey and Sumburgh, all of the airports listed have significantly larger area of parking compounds and car parking products available and that enables them to benefit from greater economies of scale and provide more parking at a lower per-car rate."

He continued: "As a large number of local passengers are dropped off or picked up by family, friends or by public transport, we have ensured that this process remains free, with no drop-off or pick-up charges and an hour's free car parking. It is worth noting that we continue to offer free drop-off and pick-up points directly outside the Terminal building. The first hour of parking is also free. The latter benefit does not feature in this study and is almost unique in the UK aviation industry.

"With regard to the cost of car hire, that is provided by completely independent, third party businesses."

Meanwhile, a Ports of Jersey spokesperson pointed out that it was currently operating a discount scheme which had reduced a six to 10-day stay to £70 – though this still placed Jersey within the top 10, at equal seventh alongside Gatwick.

"This brings Jersey's parking prices in line with many other airports. Such promotions are regularly reviewed to manage occupancy levels, and the current scheme is due to continue at least until the end of 2022.

"It is still free to drop off, and pick up, passengers."

Explaining the cost of car hire, which is operated by external companies, the spokesperson added: "[Firms] are continuing to struggle with global supply issues, and the recovery of airline passenger numbers this year has exceeded the number of cars the operators could source for the peak summer season.

"This was reflected in their prices."