The airline said it had little choice given weak advance sales in the face of excess capacity between the UK and Guernsey.
Aurigny’s chief commercial officer, Philip Saunders, said they had to act if they were going to defend the airline’s financial position, and he said further changes may have to happen in future.
‘As you would expect, Aurigny has been, and is continuing to, engage with the STSB on all the impacts relating to an evolving marketplace, and will continue to propose future strategic options to address this situation on an ongoing basis. Our current focus is on continuing to work to understand the impact of increased competition on the London market, based on a range of indicators, not just one month’s passenger data.’
The comments come in the face of figures released yesterday showing that passenger levels across its UK network fell by more than 7,000 in May compared to the same month in the previous year.
In the same month, 7,633 travellers chose to use the new, taxpayer-subsidised connection with Heathrow.
One of the biggest falls in Aurigny’s passenger numbers last month was on the London City route, which is one of the routes where it has reduced capacity. But Mr Saunders said that should not be taken as a prelude to withdrawing altogether.
‘Aurigny remains committed to the London City route as it understands the significant value and convenience it brings to the business community. At the same time Aurigny recognises its responsibility to conserve the airline’s slot portfolio at London Gatwick.
‘At a time when capacity reductions were necessary, it was inevitable that services on the London City route were more heavily impacted, but we have maintained a core schedule on the London City service to service business demand which benefits from a direct link to the capital’s financial district.’
He assured islanders that the airline remains completely committed to Guernsey’s ‘lifeline routes’ to Southampton, Gatwick, Jersey and Alderney.