The heads of the island’s Department for the Economy have led the way.
Minister Kirsten Morel said that the decision demonstrated the differences between the islands in their approach to transport licensing, while his assistant minister, Deputy Moz Scott, called the decision ‘a lost opportunity’.
Deputy Scott told the Jersey Evening Post that she was ‘not surprised, but I am disappointed’.
‘I think there is a lost opportunity for both islands,’ she said.
Deputy Morel echoed those thoughts and added that it ‘shows how Jersey and Guernsey have two different approaches to our travel and connectivity policies’.
‘Guernsey wants to own its assets, and as a result of that, it takes a very protectionist stance,’ he told Bailiwick Express.
‘When you own your travel assets, you end up making decisions that are about protecting those assets, rather than decisions which provide you with much better connectivity.
‘Jersey has an “open-skies” policy when it comes to aviation, and, as a result, we encourage competition.’
He said that competition led to innovation, better connectivity and lower fares.
‘I hope Guernsey opens up its skies. I think the Guernsey population will experience lesser connectivity than they could because of this decision.
‘Rather than the route not supporting competition, a competitive approach can lead to growth in traveller numbers, as greater opportunities to fly between the islands, along with price competition and service innovation, could attract larger numbers of travellers, particularly in the visitor economy.’
Jersey Chamber of Commerce president Lee Madden said he held out some hope of codesharing between Aurigny and Loganair in the future, having spoken to both airlines.
The Chambers of both islands have this month committed to work more closely together and to promote the benefits of inter-island liaison – which seems miles off for the politicians of each island.
‘We could look at how both airlines can work together for the benefit of both our islands and how we can have more of a partnership approach to the Channel Islands,’ he told the Jersey Evening Post.
TLA president Deputy John Gollop said that the decision had been made as ‘evidence suggested strong competition on these routes would likely lead to it being unviable for all operators in the longer term’.
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