Raising landing charges 'flies in the face of expert advice'

THE States are at risk of decimating air transport services to Guernsey, according to Flybe.

Chief commercial officer Mike Rutter's fears were backed by Blue Islands director Derek Coates, who said charges were already exorbitant, while Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart said the States were in a dangerous position.

After reading the York Aviation report into Guernsey's airport, Mr Rutter issued a stark warning.

'The recent policy decision by the States to increase landing charges and removing the tourism subsidy, which equates to £6 per passenger, flies in the face of that expert advice. The charge will decimate air services to and from Guernsey, returning passenger numbers to levels last seen in the 1970s, with all the negative impact that will have on the economy,' he said.

Mr Rutter quoted from the study, which was commissioned by Policy Council, to back up his point.

'The report highlights the fact that Guernsey is particularly price sensitive and that "anything more than a nominal increase in airport charges runs the risk of passenger demand being reduced and airlines withdrawing capacity".

Former pilot Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher believes that Flybe could pull out and leave the island stranded with no back up plan.

Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart said the charges must be reduced and doubted some politicians were aware of the issue.