Guernsey Press

Business welcomes Scrutiny air review

INVESTIGATING an open skies policy and runway extension could be the answer to Guernsey's constrained air links, business leaders have said.

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Chamber of Commerce president Tony Rowbotham called on the States to explore both options, as he welcomed the Scrutiny Committee's upcoming review of policies surrounding the protection of air links.

Guernsey Institute of Directors chairman Mark Palfrey said he also welcomed the move by Scrutiny to address recent concerns.

Mr Rowbotham said there were several factors that had hit the island's current air links, including having just Aurigny on the Gatwick route and Flybe's reduced service to Southampton.

He said the island currently operated a very restrictive policy for other interested airlines, which was not helped by the restricted length of Guernsey's runway.

'I think if the Scrutiny Committee is looking into our air links they should investigate the broad issue of some of the benefits that an open skies policy may bring to the island,' he said.

'This should be looked at alongside the length, or shortness, of our runway and what to do overall to encourage more airlines to fly into our island.'

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