‘Merging Bailiwick airlines could work for CI as a whole’
MERGING Aurigny and Blue Islands is one of the solutions Guernsey’s Chamber of Commerce has suggested to solve the Bailiwick’s flight woes.
Chamber director James Ede-Golightly has proposed that bringing together the States-owned airline and privately-owned Blue Islands could work for the Channel Islands as a whole.
‘This creates scale opportunity for the merged airline without detracting from the ability to deliver critical air connectivity for the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey to the extent required,’ he said.
Delays, cancellations and poor communication have led to frustration with local air services this year, and a review into States-owned Aurigny is already under way.
Mr Ede-Golightly has presented a series of other ideas drawn up by the Chamber executive to try and solve the crisis.
‘Where we all agree is that we need efficient and sustainable links that support the community and economy,’ he said.
He traced the problems back to Aurigny selling its jet earlier this year as part of its streamlining plan and then leasing aircraft to fill the gap. Mr Ede-Golightly said teething issues with such an big change were to be expected.
‘But we can also all agree that there have been more teething issues this year than was expected,’ he said.
‘Unfortunately for Guernsey plc and Aurigny, there has been a perfect storm of events this year alongside the change in business approach.
‘Global shortage in parts, some of the most pervasive fog on record, unscheduled maintenance requirements, and act-of-God-related fleet capacity constraints, all resulting in resilience and capacity issues outside the normal operating parameters.’
Support for using Emas to land larger aircraft
CHAMBER has drawn up a six-point plan to improve air services.
The first is to draw up a new air policy framework. In advance of this, a focus group should be formed to ensure it addresses what the Bailiwick needs.
The second is to pool the Channel Island Control Zone revenues – generated from directing international traffic over the Channel Islands – which currently goes to Jersey Ports.
‘It should be reformed to benefit the Channel Islands as a whole, especially given Guernsey’s obligation to support Alderney airport,’ Mr Ede-Golightly said. ‘At £6m. per year, these revenues are material.’
Air Traffic Control services should be merged and remote control tower capability installed.
Chamber has come out in support of Emas – a safety system used when planes overrun the runway which would allow larger aircraft to fly to Guernsey without a runway extension.
There are also two mergers suggested. The first is to merge the airport and regular fire services.
‘The availability of staff at the airport fire station is a point of vulnerability,’ Mr EdeGolightly.
‘Pooling the management and staffing of the two fire services may improve resilience and deliver efficiencies.’
The second merger was to integrate Aurigny and Blue Islands and allow them to expand their mandate to create a regional airline.
‘We believe the six points above are worthy of careful consideration in advance of this high-level review as some may bring benefits irrespective of the conclusions and others will inform the content of the review with regards to strategic direction for Aurigny.’
