Aurigny pledges to provide 'a robust, reliable service'

AURIGNY will ensure it is resilient enough to provide a reliable Gatwick service when it is the only operator on the route, according to its commercial director.

Malcolm Coupar, pictured, said technical problems over the last two weeks have forced the States-owned airline to cancel a number of flights. This has led to passengers being put up in hotels, flown on chartered aircraft and being returned to Guernsey on rival airline Flybe.

With Flybe due to stop operating a Guernsey-Gatwick service next March, there are fears that the airline - which last week received a loan-guarantee from Treasury and Resources for a new aircraft to cover the lost capacity - will be unable to cope with unexpected problems with its aircraft.

Mr Coupar has sought to allay these concerns and insists the company will have contingency plans in place.