It is not every day islanders can board a flight without leaving Town, but the airline staged a one-day visual display of the inside a single ATR aircraft cabin, with 72 personal passenger stories strapped to each head rest. To mark World Pilot Day tomorrow, ‘72 seats’ paid tribute to the skills and dedicated service of the airline’s 50 locally-based pilots, who operate more than 10,000 flights a year.
The airline has been collating stories from its passengers over the past couple of weeks to showcase the many ways its pilots impact islanders’ lives.
‘This is the first time in my career that I’ve been aware of any airline celebrating World Pilot Day,’ said Aurigny captain Mike Read.
‘Reading these stories makes you appreciate how much Aurigny means to people and how well followed it is – probably more than any other community in the world who relies so heavily on an airline.
‘It’s immensely important being Guernsey-based. If you have local pilots, cabin crew and ground staff, you notice the difference in service.
‘They are invested in it, it’s personal to them. You do try that little bit harder to get the aircraft and the people back home.’
Mr Read grew up and went to school in Guernsey before leaving to join the RAF.
He later returned and launched a flying career based out of Heathrow, commuting from the island. When Covid hit, he began flying for Aurigny.
‘Finishing my career working for Aurigny is like a full circle event and it’s like nothing else I’ve done in my career so far,’ he said.
‘I started on the Dornier, operating out of Alderney, which was a niche experience in itself – not only because it’s challenging with the weather, but the passengers really do rely on you there. My check ride on transition to the ATR was trip back from Southampton. And it was then that I saw how personal and important that route was for the passengers on-board, who were travelling home from hospital.’
Mr Read is president of Cystic Fibrosis Guernsey and chair of Health Equality for All which represents local people who have struggled to access timely health care, particularly drugs and treatments. From essential medical travel and education to family connections and critical moments not to be missed, the installation at Market Square aimed to reflect the vital role of Aurigny’s lifeline routes.
‘In line with the original intention of World Pilot Day – which is actually to celebrate pilots’ contribution to global economy, as well as their commitment to safety and their dedication – we felt that we really ought to do something about recognising our own pilots here in the heart of St Peter Port,’ said Phillip Saunders, Aurigny’s chief commercial officer.
‘There’s been a huge amount of engagement and interest, it’s been great. It’s really interesting to read all of the stories, and hear what difference our pilots have made to our passengers’ lives. I’ve been quite emotional about some of them.
‘It’s a reminder to us that it’s definitely our duty to serve the community, and of the value we bring.
‘Duty in a pilot’s world is generally a roster – but not to these guys. Our pilots go that extra mile to make sure that people get where they need to go.’
Local artist Ross Le Brun painted a chalk outline of an ATR aircraft around the seats, live as part of the installation.
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