Aviation ‘regulator’ would offer islanders a better deal

GHA president Alan Sillett said association members had been raising concerns about the lack of any kind of 'regulator'.

‘A regulator could have oversight of the Bailiwick’s air links and possibly look at a local scheme to protect customers from over-inflated air fares, poor performance levels, and travel disruption compensation issues,’ said Mr Sillett.

‘Any changes could form part of a new air framework policy, as the current one will be expiring in a year’s time. Changes could improve the PR management for our visitors with regards to air travel for the island.’

Currently passengers leaving the UK and Europe with local airlines are protected with legislation which dictates that airlines must provide basic levels of care, such as food and accommodation when flights are delayed or cancelled. But travellers leaving the island are more vulnerable.

Aurigny states that for delayed passengers coming into the island it would provide light refreshments after two hours of delay, a meal after five hours, and accommodation or meals if passengers are delayed overnight.

But for flights departing the Channel Islands which are delayed due to weather or airport problems, customers are expected to make their own arrangements for refreshments, meals and accommodation.

Blue Islands said that it complied with EU regulations for refunds and re-routing, but compensation and accommodation costs will not be covered for flights from the Channel Islands. It urges islanders to take out insurance.

Blue Islands declined to comment on the rules, while an Aurigny spokeswoman said any expansion of compensation required locally would lead to higher airfares.

‘The cost of a compensation scheme to airlines departing the Bailiwick would, of course, increase the airline’s cost base, and the question is then how these costs are recovered?’ she said.

‘Undoubtedly the answer is via higher airfares, and this is at odds with our objective of keeping airfares as low as possible for our community.

She added that Aurigny always sought to assist local customers by offering alternative transport arrangements where possible.

‘Full refunds are always offered if flights are cancelled. Customers are also eligible for subsistence vouchers for delays of more than two hours,’ she said.

‘EU 261 [European compensation and assistance rules] is not and never was intended to be a substitute for adequate travel insurance.’