Open Skies debate 'flies' for a second day

Wednesday 18 July 2018

An amendment to dramatically increase the number of ‘lifeline’ air routes between Guernsey and the UK dominated the open skies debate as it took off yesterday.

In the hours before the States moved to discuss a proposal which Economic Development hopes will lead to lower prices and more destinations being served, Deputy Emilie Yerby lodged an amendment which would see Alderney, Gatwick, Southampton, Jersey and Manchester listed as ‘lifeline’. EDs own proposal would just have listed Alderney and Gatwick.

In opening the debate, ED President Charles Parkinson said the public wanted to see progress being made on connectivity, and businesses had told the Committee they were now holding more meetings in Jersey because of the expense of travelling to Guernsey.

Failure to deliver improvements would mean politicians facing “an angry electorate in two years’ time”, he told the assembly.

Pictured: Deputy Charles Parkinson

Three ways existed for the States to begin improving airlinks, he said, and this was the one which could be delivered at ‘no cost at all’ to the taxpayer. Spending vast sums on physical infrastructure, such as a longer runway, or subsidising routes were the other options.

Only one licence in recent times has been refused, Deputy Parkinson said, “so why do we put airlines through this” process. Three independent consultancy firms, Frontier Economies, ASM and PwC had all told ED that Guernsey stood to benefit from deregulation.

Blue Islands, whose owner and CEO have both launched blistering attacks on the policy proposals, found itself the receiving end of a barbed comment from Deputy Parkinson, “they are the most predatory of the three [incumbent airlines] and have spent millions of pounds forcing competitors from the Jersey and Southampton route, and now want the States to protect their investment."

Debate stretched throughout the afternoon, with repeated lengthy speeches. In a particularly rambling one, Deputy Lester Queripel said he was torn on which way to vote, and argued the idea of open skies cannot be considered in isolation, but a holistic manner. 

“I cannot imagine anyone buying a cheap ticket anywhere if there are no facilities and facilities there. I just want to spend a few minutes (on things) that have been lost over the years.” Diving boards at the bathing pools, Beau Sejour’s flumes and family games room, no more public roller-skating at the centre either, along with a plethora of hotel closures were all mentioned, but the Deputy Bailiff interjected to ask “can you bring it to a point relating to this amendment.”

States Trading and Supervisory Board President Peter Ferbrache said there was “no golden bullet” to improving airlinks, before putting forward the views of Aurigny and the airport.

“Aurigny is not, as a matter of principle opposed to open skies, but has concerns about it in a subscale market.”

Pictured: Guernsey Airport

The airport, Deputy Ferbrache said, had no evidence of carriers waiting in the background wanting to serve more routes from Guernsey.

Deputy Matt Fallaize, meanwhile, argued that the debate was without strategic purpose, as no one had articulated whether the States was aiming for lower prices or more rotations.

Debate has recommenced today.