Open Skies approved!

Thursday 19 July 2018

Lower prices and more destinations could be on the way after the States approved an Open Skies policy. Economic Development's key argument was it would improve connectivity, lower prices and increase the number of destinations from Guernsey.

After lengthy debate, the States made the historic decision to deregulate airlinks, on all but the Alderney and Gatwick routes, by 22 to 14, with one abstention.

This means that only the London Gatwick and Alderney to Guernsey route now has exclusive protection, and it opens the door to competition across every other air route flown to and from the island.

Economic Development President Charles Parkinson had argued passionately for the policy adoption, and told the deputies three new routes had been touted to the Committee by an airline, though he declined to mention which one. This was the first step in improving air connectivity, he said.

“Clearly this is the right thing to do. Later this year we will receive the PwC report on air and sea infrastructure, we have the requete from Deputy Jan Kuttlewascher about the runway length, there is lots still to do. I am relieved that it has passed.” 

“We regularly receive enquiries from other operators interested in flying from Guernsey”, Deputy Parkinson said before the vote, “so yes, there are people out there who are interested in flying from Guernsey. I expect to see the fruits of our labour within a year.”

Deputy Jan Kuttlewascher, who has long campaigned for improvements to air connectivity and is responsible for repeated attempts to increase the size of the runway said the islands population should be pleased – but cautioned new routes were unlikely to start popping up anytime soon.

“This is a victory for the electorate, this should mean more economical fare. Bear in mind though that we are in the summer season now, and people don’t start new routes in the summer. I am pleased this was approved, especially with the majority on proposition four [which removed the decades-old route licensing system]. This is the first step in talking about the appropriate length for the runway.”

Deputy Kuttlewascher told the Assembly during debate an airline, which he would not name, had told him they would begin operating to London Southend and Dublin should the licencing regime be abolished.