100-seat giveaway launches air link

ROCKHOPPER launched its Guernsey-Jersey service yesterday. And promptly offered 100 free flights. I am delighted to be launching our service and bringing permanently low fares and good service to a route which has been crying out for them,' said chairman Noel Hayes. 'The fact that potentially three airlines will be genuinely competing for the first time over such a short, but highly expensive, stretch of water proves this is truly a crucial moment for inter-island travel.' Passengers who book more than two weeks prior to the date of travel will pay a guaranteed £49 return on the nine-seat Islander aircraft. The airline will initially operate eight flights every weekday, although Mr Hayes hopes to increase this. 'The significance of the Guernsey-Jersey route is that at the present time about 150,000 people travel between the islands. Until now it has been almost a monopoly.' Mr Hayes stressed that customers would benefit from the competition. 'The competition has increased the number of flights this week by 50% and they have changed their timetable to match ours despite us being the new kid on the block. We take that as an enormous compliment.' Rockhopper will be giving away 100 tickets on the route through its website, www.rockhopper.aero 'Rockhopper must play its part in these so-called "air wars". For the first time ever in inter-island air travel, we will be giving 100 seats away for absolutely nothing - who says competition doesn't work for the consumer?' said Mr Hayes. Passengers Sue and Geoff Galpin, from Poole, welcomed the new inter-island service. 'We flew with Rockhopper from Bournemouth on Saturday and were so impressed we thought we would take their inaugural flight to Jersey,' said Mrs Galpin. Despite yesterday's celebrations, it has been a long, difficult process for the airline to secure the route. 'It is now all coming to fruition. It is a really important day and a great feeling,' said Mr Hayes, shortly before the first flight to Jersey departed. 'We look forward to the same day next year when hopefully we will have carried 15,000 passengers on the route.' To celebrate both the inaugural flight from Guernsey to Jersey - and his birthday - Mr Hayes was presented with a cake by Transport Users' Group chairman Hugh Bougourd. Prior to launching the new route, the airline was already operating three out of Bournemouth to Jersey, Alderney and Guernsey - each carrying about 10,000 a year.