Aurigny has reportedly applied for 1,232 landing slots for London Heathrow – about two return flights a day over the course of a year – but received none. It has also been reported that it applied for an extra 862 Gatwick slots, but received none, although it did retain its current allowance of 1,838 slots at London’s second airport.
The claims were made by CI Aviation, which has previously revealed accurate information about local aviation matters.
Last night Aurigny said the move was a routine approach and 'a standard part of our network planning'. It did not confirm or deny the figures.
Retired senior captain Max Carling said that the size of Aurigny's planes would be part of both airports’ decisions to reject the applications. ‘Historically airports made their money from landing fees, but that had evolved,’ he said.
‘Now it’s about retail rents – duty free and everything else you find. Those rents are all based on footfall – the greater footfall, the greater the rents. If a slot can go to a jumbo jet the footfall is 300-plus, for an ATR its more like 60. Decisions are now data-driven rather than just management, and post Covid, large London airports can be optimistic these slots will be taken by a bigger carrier.’
Mr Carling added that there were also valid technical reasons why the large airports wanted larger planes.
‘They want a plane landing every 45 seconds and that’s easier if the planes have similar profiles and a continuity of speed and approach,’ he said.
‘They don’t want a square peg in a round hole. Because of wake turbulence a heavy aircraft can’t be followed by a small one. For an ATR to follow in a Boeing 747 you need a three-minute separation – that then again affects footfall. I’ve flown in behind an Airbus 380 and the turbulence can be quite scary.’
It is believed that the only UK regional airline using Heathrow is Loganair, but it has jets as well as ATRs.
Another retired airline pilot Jerry Girard said the only way Guernsey would get a Heathrow connection would be to entice British Airways to fly to the island.
‘These are not defined as “lifeline” slots so they could start whenever the States and BA could agree,’ he said.
‘The Airbus A320neo they already fly could land on our existing runway without any changes. At around 170 seats, that would more than double the capacity, and lower our carbon footprint.’
He added that he would also like to see ‘lifeline’ slots at Gatwick, operated by Aurigny, leased to Easyjet, which also flies A320s.
‘That would be enormous and stop our financial services migrating to Jersey,’ he said.
‘Having Easyjet and BA would open us up to their customers as a destination. It’s a win-win-win.’
So far Aurigny has only put Gatwick winter flights on sale, which often sees six flights a day.
There has been no announcement about winter services to London City, Aurigny’s only other London link.
Mr Carling felt it would be a mistake to reduce London City services, as it would reduce their popularity.
‘The management of Aurigny are making commercial decisions and looking at revenue. Personally I think the airline should only be looking to break even at best and instead be an enabler to keep the island connected,’ he said.
‘Those passengers to City are what makes the island tick. To our financial sector and the long-term prosperity of the island, 20 people on a City flight being able to get to meetings, even if there are less passengers on the plane, is important. Staying connected is what is really vital.’
Guernsey last had a regular Heathrow service in 2020, when it was a States-subsided service, operated by Flybe.
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